Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.
Luke 2:14 NIV
Reflection
Advent continues with peace. After hope has been kindled, we turn to the promise that Christ brings calm to troubled hearts and reconciliation to a broken world. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict or a fleeting sense of quiet. It is the deep assurance that God Himself reigns and that His presence steadies us.
Isaiah’s prophecy reminds us that the Prince of Peace would come to rule with justice and righteousness. God’s people knew strife, oppression, and fear. And into their turmoil came a promise: One would establish a kingdom of peace that would never end. This promise is fulfilled in Christ, who reconciles us to God and calls us to live at peace with one another.
The Greek word for “peace” in Luke 2:14 is eirēnē. It often carries the richness of shalom—wholeness, well-being, and reconciliation with God. This peace is not fragile or fleeting; it is the steady flame that reminds us Christ has come to make all things new.
Peace is the flame of Advent because it teaches us to rest in God’s sovereignty. We may see division, anxiety, or uncertainty, but peace lifts our eyes to Christ’s reign. It anchors us in His presence, reminding us that the story does not end in chaos but in His perfect shalom.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Phillips Brooks wrote the lyrics for O Little Town of Bethlehem, which helps us this peace: “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.”
The first stanza expresses our longing for peace.
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie;
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
The silent stars go by.
These lyrics are not simply poetry; they are a prayerful reflection. Bethlehem’s stillness mirrors the peace Christ brings. In Him, our hopes and fears are met, reconciled, and transformed. We rest in Him because He alone is faithful.
When we sing this hymn during Advent, our waiting becomes worship. Our longing becomes prayer.
We hear stillness and assurance in these lyrics. Christ is the One who calms our fears and reconciles us to God. Advent is not turmoil but tranquility. It is peace rooted in God’s presence.
Flame Imagery
The second flame of Advent is the flame of peace. At first glance, it may seem delicate, flickering in the winds of life’s turbulence. Yet it burns with quiet strength, reminding us that even the smallest flame can calm the deepest disturbance.
Lighting the candle of peace is not just a ritual; it is a declaration of trust, a way of stirring our hearts to remember God’s presence. Each flicker proclaims that Christ is our peace. Each glow bears witness that He has come, and He will come again. The flame of peace is not extinguished by the turbulence; it shines more brightly because of it, steady and sure, guiding our hearts toward the One who reconciles all things.
Carrying the Flame
As you continue this walk through the Advent season, take time to reflect on the peace you long to experience. Where do you need Christ’s peace to break into your life? Perhaps it is in a place of conflict where you need His reconciliation. Perhaps it is in a season of anxiety, where you need His calm. Perhaps it is in the ordinary rhythms of life, where you need His presence.
Let each devotion draw you closer to Him, turning your waiting into rest. Do not let waiting become turmoil or fear. Instead, let it become prayer, worship, and trust. Peace is not passive. It is active faith that rests in God’s sovereignty and leans forward, expecting His presence to calm all turbulence.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the gift of peace. In a world filled with conflict and anxiety, Your flame has dawned. Teach us to rest in Your presence and to trust in Your sovereignty. Fan the flame of peace so it burns brightly in our hearts, guiding us through this season of waiting and into the fullness of Christ’s second coming. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read the Introduction to “From Bethlehem to Glory: An Advent Series”
Read “The First Flame: “Hope in Darkness”
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