Last week we spoke of the first candle in the Advent Wreath as the candle of hope. We light it again as we remember that Christ will come again to fulfill all of God's promises to us.
We might think of the second candle of Advent as the candle of peace. It's sometimes called the Bethlehem Candle, to remind us of the place in which preparations were made to receive and cradle the Christ Child. Peace is a gift which we must be prepared for. God gives us the gift of peace when we turn to him in faith. The prophet Isaiah speaks of "the Prince of Peace". Through John the Baptizer and all the other prophets, God asks us to prepare our hearts so that God may come in. Our hope is in God and in God's Son, Jesus Christ. Our peace is found in Jesus. We light this candle today to remind us that he brings peace to all who trust in him.
Loving God, thank you for the peace you give us through Jesus.
Help us prepare our hearts to receive Him. Bless our worship.
Guide us in all that we say and do. We ask it in the name of the One
born in Bethlehem. Amen.
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