The theme for this second week of Advent is PEACE, Rangimārie.
Kia tau tonu te rangimārie o te Ariki ki a koe.
May the peace of Christ be always with you.
How is your quiet space working for you? Do you have any items or symbols to add after the first week of Advent?
Spend some time in quiet and then read Matthew 3:1-12. What jumps out for you? What is God saying to you today?
Open up a news app, newspaper or listen to the morning news. Make a note of places need peace. Using an A4 piece of paper or two pages of a journal, draw or write the places and situations that need peace. With colouring pencils, felts or pens, draw a river to represent God’s peace following through these places, praying for each one as your pen/pencil moves around it.
Is there something that you do that you find peaceful? Make an effort to do that activity today. When you are finished, reflect what it is about that activity that you find peaceful? Journal or write about it. Do you need to do your peaceful activity more often?
Breath prayer has ancient roots, attributed to the desert mothers and fathers in the 3rd century. It is a simple way of connecting with God. Breath prayer helps calm our nervous system down when we are worried or stressed, it can restore equilibrium and help us manage difficult times. As we pray, we inhale slowly on the first line, and exhale slowly on the second line. Repeat several times to get into a good rhythm.
Inhale – Lord I long for peace
Exhale – Help me to rest in you
The candle we light for the second Sunday is Advent is known as the Bethlehem candle to highlight the journey to Bethlehem, towards possibility of peace through the birth of Jesus. You might not feel particularly peaceful at this moment but today set aside some time to spend in silence. Invite God into your time and sit still. If an intrusive thought comes through, acknowledge it and let it pass through without dwelling on it. You may wish to start with the breath prayer and then move into the silent time.
Being a Peace Bringer
Reach out to someone who is experiencing stress or worry and offer to be with them, pray for them. Practice being a calm and peaceful presence in that moment.
Being a Peace bringer (again)
Go to a place that that seems busy or stressed – sit and pray for peace for those who are moving through that place.