In the noise of all that is going on in the world, the yelling of one leader of a nation to another, we can get lost and confused. Many of us are genuinely worried about escalation, violence, and the shadow of war. This makes Peace Sunday seem like a small thing, and the candle that we will light a feebly flickering point of light amid the darkness that is surrounding us.
This is why, not just during the Advent season, we need to strive to quiet the shouting and shut out the voices that would stoke the fires of fear that jump so readily to life in our hearts. We must open ourselves to hear the still small voice of God that calls out in the wilderness, a voice that offers a Way and a Peace that nothing else in the world can offer.
Because the world is so loud, that voice is hard to hear, so lets quiet our hearts and minds in this moment and allow for some time in our prayer to listen for what God is saying to us.
Let us pray.
Psalm 85:8-9
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
You, O God, are the voice of Wisdom, but so often we let ourselves be distracted by lights and sounds that so often fill the season. Help us to quiet the fears that so fill our hearts. Help us to quiet the worries that so fill our minds. Speak again your still small voice of peace into the silence of this moment:
Silence
We strive to be your faithful people, to turn to you on the good days and the bad. In this Advent season, bring us the peace that only you can bring and help us to build the your kingdom of love that will persist beyond the birthing of your son into our lives. AMEN
Blessings,
Rev. Richard