A guide to Advent Week Four: PEACE | Dec 22 - 28

During week four, we light the angels’ candle and think about the PEACE that is ours in Christ.

Read aloud or meditate on this week’s Scripture Reading each time you light your four Advent candles this week. Fill your home or car with music from this week’s playlists. And scroll down for ideas for actively observing and expressing PEACE this week.

 

Week four Scripture Reading

- The Word of the Lord from Isaiah 9 -

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

- and from Luke 2 -

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

- and the words of Christ from John 14 -

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

 

ideas for observing & expressing peace this week

  • Spend some time individually or as a household experiencing quiet, stillness, and calm in your home. This could include turning off other lights and enjoying the flames of your fireplace or Advent candles or your Christmas tree lights. This could include soft music, or you might choose total silence. Notice your internal and external reactions as you simply stop. What happens inside you in this time? Do you feel restless, anxious, distracted? Is your body tense or relaxed? Talk to the Lord about what you've noticed. Hear His words to you from this week's readings, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

  • Examine your home, your neighborhood, and our community with an eye for peace. Do you notice anything chaotic or out of order that you could make right? Try some easy projects that make a big difference, like going for a walk as a family and filling a garbage bag with whatever bits of trash you find. Is there an elderly person who could use help with seasonal chores, bringing peace to their home?

  • As a household, agree to actively watch for people and situations that are not at peace as you are out and about at work or running errands. Silently pray right in those moments for Christ's peace to be known in others' lives. Enlist children or friends or extended family to join you in this quiet ministry of prayer. Could you pray for first responders as you drive past a fender-bender on the highway? Might you pray for grocery-store employees who are receiving complaints and anger from customers? or the exhausted mother who is snapping at her toddlers in a parking lot? or the people around a restaurant table whose attention is on their phones rather than one another? Share these situations with one another at home. What does God want to teach you about others? about yourselves? about His peace?

  • Consider your brothers and sisters in Christ. Is there anyone with whom you are not at peace? Meditate on Romans 12:9-21. Prayerfully seek reconciliation. If you need prayer, accountability, or counseling about the situation, contact Pastor Carter Johnson or Pastor Dennis Johnson, or a member of our WPC Session.

  • Come to the Christmas Eve worship service at 8 PM on December 24. Enjoy this brief (30 minute) pause in the bustle of holiday activity. Embrace the peaceful beauty of our traditional candlelit “Silent Night.” Bring young children in their jammies and let this be the memory planted in their minds before they tuck in bed.

  • If you anticipate that Christmas Day will be emotionally difficult because of grief, broken relationships, family who do not share your faith, work pressures, long-term illness, or other burdens that make peace seem elusive, consider asking your WPC pastors and elders to pray for you. Contact Pastor Carter Johnson or reach out to any of our WPC Session.  

peace-Filled music

Listen to songs of PEACE throughout the week.