Theme: Peace
Candle Color: Purple or Blue
Significance: This candle reminds us of the peace that only Christ can give, transcending human understanding.
Candle Lighting Directions: Light the second candle, praying for peace in your heart, your community, and the world. Reflect on how rest can bring calm to your spirit.
As we enter the second week of Advent, we turn our attention to peace. In a world that often feels chaotic and fractured, peace can feel elusive. Yet the peace that Christ offers is different—it transcends understanding and quiets our restless hearts. For Black and BIPOC communities, peace is not just an internal feeling but a profound act of resistance and liberation amidst systemic injustices. This week, we reflect on how resting in God’s peace can bring wholeness to our lives and inspire us to be peacemakers in the world.
Scripture Study
Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.”This verse reminds us that peace comes from trusting in God. When we keep our minds focused on Him, we are anchored in His stillness.
John 14:27: “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.”Jesus offers a peace that is not dependent on circumstances. His peace is a gift that calms our fears and sustains us.
Guided Prayer
“God of Peace, quiet the anxieties in our hearts and minds. Teach us to rest in Your stillness and trust in Your promises. Let Your peace flow through us, bringing calm to our lives and hope to those around us. Amen.”
Rest Reflection
Rest is a pathway to peace. In our busyness, it’s easy to become disconnected from the presence of God. Rest allows us to pause, breathe, and create space for His peace to settle in our spirits. For those of us carrying heavy burdens, rest is a declaration that we trust God to hold what we cannot.
Practice: This week, set aside 30 minutes for a “peaceful pause.” Turn off distractions, light a candle, and sit in a comfortable space. Reflect on the word peace, asking God to fill your heart with His presence.
Journal Prompt
Where do you feel a lack of peace in your life right now?
What is causing that unrest?
How can you invite God’s peace into that space this week?
Contemplative Art Prompt
Create an art piece inspired by peace. Use calming colors like blues, greens, or soft pastels to depict a scene that brings you a sense of serenity—a still lake, a soft breeze, or an open sky. Let your art reflect the stillness you long for.
Hymn Suggestions
Traditional Hymn: It Is Well with My Soul—A hymn that speaks to the deep peace found in trusting God, even in difficult times.
African American Hymn: I Want Jesus to Walk with Me—A spiritual that reminds us of God’s steady presence in times of struggle.
Building Family Traditions
Peace can be cultivated as a family through intentional practices that create calm and connection. Here are some ideas:
Candle Lighting Ritual: Gather as a family and light the second candle on your Advent wreath. Reflect together on what peace means to each of you and share ways you can bring peace to your home and community this week. End with a prayer for God’s peace to fill your lives.
Peace Walk: Take a walk together as a family in silence, observing the beauty around you. Afterward, share what moments of peace you noticed during your walk.
Reflection and Invitation
Peace is more than the absence of conflict—it is the presence of God’s wholeness in our lives. This week, let’s rest in God’s peace, trusting Him to calm our fears and restore our spirits. As we do, may we become bearers of His peace to others, spreading light and hope in a world that needs it.
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