Peace

 “May we be in this world a ray of that light which shone forth from Bethlehem, bringing joy and peace to the hearts of all men and women.” – Pope Francis

The second candle on the Advent wreath represents Peace. Like the first candle, it is also purple. Often called the “Bethlehem Candle,” the second Advent candle reminds us of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Mary gave birth to Jesus. Building on the meaning of the Prophecy Candle, this second candle recalls that after all of the division, destruction, and dispersion of the kingdom in the Old Testament, there might finally be peace on Earth – Jesus is coming, and so is his Kingdom of Peace. As we read in the quote from Pope Francis, this light of peace shone forth from Bethlehem for all the world. 

~ Hallow.com

Hope

 “Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.” – C.S. Lewis

It is only fitting that the first candle on the Advent wreath represents Hope – the first Sunday of Advent not only leads us to anticipate the birth of Christ but celebrate the beginning of a new liturgical season as well. The first candle is purple, the primary color of Advent and a color symbolizing royalty. Sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle,” the first candle harkens us back to Isaiah’s foretelling of the birth of Christ and all of the promises God gave us in the Old Testament that would be fulfilled by the birth of Jesus. 

~ Hallow.com

Giving Thanks to God

 “Always giving thanks to God the Father

for everything, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:20

“When you feel down, you may find it difficult to give thanks.  Take heart - in all things God works for the good if we love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).  Thank God, not for problems, but for the strength he is building in you through the difficult experience of your life.  You can be sure that God’s perfect love will see you through.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

Reach Out To Christ

“Sea of Galilee”

“But when saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning 

to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Matthew 14:30

“Although we start out with good intentions, sometimes our faith falters.  This doesn’t necessarily mean we have failed.  When Peter’s faith faltered, he reached out to Christ, the only one who could help.  He was afraid, but he still looked to Christ.  When you are apprehensive about the trouble around you and doubt Christ’s presence or ability to help, you must remember that he is the only on who can really help.”

~ Life Application Study Bible 

 

God Arms Us With Strength

 “It is God who arms me with strength

and keeps my way secure.”

Psalm 18:32

“God doesn’t promise to eliminate challenges, instead he gives us strength to meet those challenges.  If he gave us no rough roads to walk, no mountains to climb, and no battles to fight, we would not grow.  He does not leave us alone with our challenges, however.  Instead he stands besides us, teaches us, and strengthens us to face them.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

The Lord Blesses Us

 “The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26

“A blessing was one way of asking God’s divine favor to rest upon others.  The ancient blessing in these verses helps us understand what a blessing was supposed to do.  Its five parts conveyed hope that God would (1) bless and keep them (favor and protect);(2) make his face shine on them (be pleased); (3) be gracious (merciful and compassionate); (4) turn his face toward them (give his approval); (5) give peace.  When you ask God to bless others or yourselves, you are asking him to do these five things.  The blessing you offer will not only help the one receiving it, it will also demonstrate love, encourage others, and provide a model of caring to others.”

~ Life Application Study Bible 

Keeping An Open Mind

“...and everything is for God’s glory...”

Roman 11:36

“The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend” ~  Henri Bergson

Keeping an open mind is one of the most difficult things to practice.

It means you are open to everyone and everything that comes your way, allowing yourself to embrace different possibilities, opportunities, people, views, suggestions and interests.

You need to be unprejudiced, without stubbornness and flexible at all times.

I try to practice this in every situation and it makes life a hell of a lot easier and less complicated. Better yet it is fun to practice. Trying to understand someone’s point of view, even when you disagree or don’t like the person very much, can change and free your mind in a way you would have never expected.

I don’t claim to master this skill, but I do see great improvement and it makes me feel powerful having the ability to change my way of thinking and not to get stuck in a mindset that makes me frustrated, angry or helpless.

Keeping an open mind is one of the best tools I use in simplifying my life.
It doesn’t mean I believe or accept everything, but I do listen, observe, feel and try to comprehend every situation on my path. It has given me, saved me and helped me many times. Try it yourself.

~ simplyyourday.com. By Klaus Crow