Advent Week Four: Peace
As we come to the end of the Advent – the preparation – and open to the actual birth, we review the journey we have been on. We began with a little spark of Hope – the initiator of every journey. Along the way, this hope must move into faith and, even though it’s not attributed to the Advent journey, it’s a requirement. We must know that what we are moving toward will happen.
By the second week, we moved into Love – the love for the outcome we seek, for the new birth, the new light coming into our lives. Last week, as we became aware of the greater certainty, of moving from possibility to probability, we rejoiced with Joy. We may not see the full birth yet, but we know it’s here.
This week, as we near completion, near the birth, we experience Peace. We are no longer just hoping, we know that our outcome is certain, that this new birth is happening. As we stand at the threshold, we find this birth happening. We couldn’t stop it if we wanted to.
The fifth and final candle in the Advent wreath is the white candle at the center, typically lit on Christmas morning. It celebrates the birth, the new light. Traditionally, of course, this was the birth of Jesus. But since we are working metaphorically and metaphysically here, we see the symbology of the birth of the Christ Consciousness – the experiencing of infinite Love – within ourselves.
This process works to support the birth of anything new. Use it in your life to guide you as you welcome in the new. Begin with Hope, move into Faith, then Love whatever it is into your life. Take time to rejoice, to experience the Joy of this newness. And, as your step into it, you find Peace, the peace that passes the understanding of the intellect, yet makes perfect sense to the heart and soul. Finally, acknowledge the birth. Don’t stay stuck in journeying – find, bring the new into your life.
Happy holidays; happy new birth!