The Second Week of Advent: The Peace Candle

During the second week of Advent, we have the chance to light the second purple candle, the Peace Candle.

We bring peace to the world when we bring peace to our world.

Advent focuses on repentance each year. During the second Sunday of Advent, we hear John the Baptist proclaim loudly, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”

Jesus brings the kingdom to Earth when he becomes human. He’s completely divine and yet completely human--fully God and fully flesh-and-blood. He’s just like me and yet very much not like me at all.

Jesus came to bring peace. He tells people, over and over, not to be afraid. But peace begins at home, within our walls and within ourselves.

Repentance brings peace.

Ridding ourselves of the burden guilt places on us and making things right with the people around us will open us more to the experience of the manger, the glory of Christmas, and the King who awaits us as a little baby.

In a word, I need Confession during Advent. It’s a penitential season, and there’s a promise of peace in the penance that awaits me.

Sin blocks my embrace of Jesus.

What’s getting in the way of my embrace of the baby Savior? Is it a grudge I can’t seem to forget or hard feelings I can’t seem to forgive?

Is it an age-old hurt or a brand-new wound? Do I need to apologize or even change my approach?

Jesus offers us peace, but we have to be willing to take the step to rid ourselves of all that gets in the way of that peace.

Copyright 2013 Sarah Reinhard

Image by Liesel (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons