“The peace of God is not the absence of fear. It, in fact, is His presence.”
– Timothy Keller
Weekly Readings
God of peace, You entered into disorder. You considered it worthy to not just observe our suffering but to enter into it. You endured the violent revolt of Your own creation. Let us hide under Your wings. You are the cleft that houses us from the storm. You are the refuge when Your enemies pursue us. You are the defender when Satan condemns us. You are the peace when our hearts are restless. May we find rest in Your presence. Help us to be calmed by Your power as it makes our heart its home. Guide us into new levels of stillness as we recess into You. Amen.
Weekly Reflection
Drop your sword. Lift your hands. Embrace the wound. Every battle that raged against you is now His. Forfeit control. Release your worry. Stop, hear, listen, surrender, breathe. The presence of the Almighty is with you. Something greater than violence is here. Something greater than disturbance is here. Something greater than uncertainty is here. May the peace of Christ guard your hearts, not from catastrophe, but from unrest.
Conversation
What does peace feel like?
Who is someone you know that is peaceful?
What makes them that way?
What can you do to bring peace to your home?
School? Work? Church?
Is there an area of your life you need peace?
Who do you know that needs prayer for peace?
Community
This week, gather your family and bake, cook, or buy your family’s favorite dessert or snacks to give away to someone who might need some peace this Advent season. As you are making these treats (or walking the grocery aisles), talk with your children about who might appreciate getting a surprise. Maybe a teacher, a neighbor, a community service worker or an employee of a store you visit often could use a nice visit from your family to drop off these treats. Talk to your family about how you can be peaceful in your relationships by delivering these treats and spending some time with these people.
Craft • Advent Calendar
MATERIALS
- 24 Count Mini Muffin Pan
- Paper cut in circles the size of muffin tops
- Markers, Paint, Glitter
- Small tokens for each slot (verses, snacks, ornaments, names of Jesus, etc.)
There are limitless ways to make an Advent Calendar for your home, but this craft project uses items you already have. With its 24 openings, a mini-muffin pan makes a perfect base for a treat-filled Advent calendar.
DIRECTIONS
- Cut 24 circles out of paper that are wide enough to fit over the openings in the muffin tin.
- Decorate the top of the paper circles, and write a day number (1, 2, 3, etc. all the way through 24).
- Gather something to put into each muffin slot. It could be a small note that each person writes about Jesus. It could be a small snack. It could be a small token or item from around your home.
- Cover each slot with your paper circles.
- Each day, open up the muffin slot for that day. Read the note, eat the snack, or talk about the item from around your home. Use this daily exercise as an easy way to start conversations about waiting for Jesus as a family.