Thank you for joining with us to celebrate Advent together! Whether you want to light the candle with us while watching the video or wish to use the video to inspire your own couple or family time, we are so grateful to be on this journey of remembrance with you!
Our prayer is that together we will experience more of God’s good gifts — especially more of Jesus. And please remember to check out the Advent calendar we made for you and the devotional below. We hope these tools lead to deeper conversations, more joy and more meaning as you celebrate Advent together!
Here are Matt and Rylee Andres (FamilyLife Regional Representatives for Saskatchewan) to share on this second Sunday and week of Advent:
Please join us in lighting the second candle of Advent (The Candle of Peace) and doing the devotional below together:
Devotional
“Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others — the armies of heaven — praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’” Luke 2:13-14 (NLT)
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
In this second week of Advent, we are reminded that the same peace that was promised to shepherds on a hillside over 2,000 years ago is the same peace promised to us. Right now we may be experiencing tension at home, school or work. Health issues, relational breakdowns or finances might cause us to wrestle with anxiety or fear. On a larger scale, our minds may be consumed by worries about international conflicts or environmental or economic concerns.
But here is the good news: Jesus came so that we would find peace beyond our understanding! When we are overwhelmed and burdened by our situation and circumstances, we can trust in the One who holds the world in his hands. Jesus is the Messiah — our rescuer. Let us be comforted as we allow Jesus to bring us a peace we can’t even begin to understand, a peace that will guard our hearts and minds from worry and fear.
Go Deeper Together
1. What can we do to prepare our hearts to experience God’s peace together?
2. Looking back on our week, when did we allow the peace of Christ to replace our fears or worries?
3. This Christmas, what area of our lives could use God’s peace?
A Closing Prayer
Jesus, thank you for bringing peace that will guard our hearts and minds as we trust in you. Help us to see not from our own perspective, but with the understanding that you are greater than any problem or circumstance that we might face. Guide our steps toward knowing your peace. Amen.