Today’s scripture: Isaiah 9:5-7 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Rev. Tammy Mills):
My all-time favorite Christmas movie is Dr. Suess’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I love all the hustle and bustle of the opening scenes. There is NO peace and joy only rush, hurry and shop! Poor little Cindy Lou Who is left to wonder just what Christmas is all about! I spend most of my Christmas like those Whos down in Whoville — all stressed out and frantic!
Ultimately, the movie teaches us that real peace comes from inside us, not from any packages with ribbons and bows. As we light the candle of peace this week we need to be reminded that we can live in peace. Jesus came as the Prince of Peace. The peace he brought wasn’t an imposed peace on the world but rather a path for people to find peace within even when their world was full of chaos!
Theologian John Lennon said it best when he wrote these lines:
Imagine all the people
living life in peace.
You may say I’m a dreamer,
but I’m not the only one.
I hope someday you’ll join us,
and the world will live as one.
This week’s candle is a call to all of us to live in peace. It challenges us to open ourselves to the Prince of Peace. Perhaps if enough of us begin to live in this peace the world will one day live as one?
Thought for the day: Do I experience peace, even when things around me seem to spin out of control?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.