In a few days we will celebrate the second Sunday of Advent as we continue this season of preparation for the birth of Jesus at Christmas. The traditional themes of each Advent week are hope, peace, joy, and love, and as we look ahead to the promise of peace, as I have considered it, I’ve felt very in touch this year with the intentionality of what we are called to in preparing for peace.
That is, in no small part, because peace is not the most prevalent emotion or experience for me right now. And part of that is because our world is not at peace. Wars are raging, people are suffering, even the day-to-day politics and social realities in our own town, state, and nation can feel disruptive, even violent.
In short: our world is not at peace, which means often our lives are not at peace.
So today, after agonizing over what to write, I finally got tired of staring at a blank Word document and went looking for inspiration in the blog post I wrote this time last year. And you know what I wrote about? Taking an hour off work for a pedicure. Apparently I wasn’t feeling overly peaceful, so I took time to experience some peace. The audacity!
Part of what I love Advent is the intentionality of taking time in worship and our lives to allow faith to speak boldly in the midst of a holiday season so conscripted, marketed, and consumed by other powers, goals, and traditions. Many, maybe even most aren’t bad, and I’m not suggesting we should bury our heads in the sand and ignore all else. But to profess Jesus, to celebrate, to practice hope, peace, joy, and love intentionally in preparation and anticipation as the greatest good, as the world changing promise of God… that is where and how peace enters in, even to a world content with war.
So, I invite you, I challenge you, I implore you: do the same. Prepare your heart for peace with peace. Find an hour sometime this weekend. If you can’t find it, make it. It’s important. And in that hour, get a pedicure. Or read a book for pleasure. Take a nap, cook something you’ve wanted to try, or drive around to enjoy the holiday decorations. Maybe a walk in this cooler weather, or a quiet night objecting to it with hot chocolate. Watch Bob’s Burgers or a comedy special or something that makes you laugh or cry or just feel. Catch up on that podcast you love, play a video game, a board game, or work on a puzzle. Find something; make an hour for peace.
As for me, I’m clocking out an hour early today. Staff Parish Committee, please take note: I’m gone for a pedicure.
May grace and peace reign,
Ben
