12.08.23

PEACE, PREPARATION, & PEDICURES

In a few days we will celebrate the second Sunday of Advent as we continue this season of preparation for the birth of Jesus at Christmas. The traditional themes of each Advent week are hope, peace, joy, and love, and as we look ahead to the promise of peace, as I have considered it, I’ve felt very in touch this year with the intentionality of what we are called to in preparing for peace.

That is, in no small part, because our world is not at peace. Wars are raging, people are suffering, even the day-to-day politics and social realities in our own town, state, and nation feel violent at times as adherence to some interpretations or beliefs are presented as righteous, even holy. Our world is not at peace, which means very often our lives are not at peace.

So today, I made time for some peace. I took an hour with my friend Haley Eccles and we got pedicures. There’s no great message there, and while her toes are now painted a nice holiday red, mine are still clear, but a bit comfier.

One of the reasons I love Advent is because we take time in worship, in this season, and in our lives to allow faith to speak boldly in the midst of a season that is so conscripted, marketed, consumed by other powers, goals, and traditions. Many, maybe even most aren’t bad, and I’m not suggesting we should bury our heads in the sand and ignore all else. But to profess Jesus, to celebrate, to practice hope, peace, joy, and love intentionally in preparation and anticipation as the greatest good, as the world changing promise of God… that is where and how peace enters in, even to a world content with war.

So I invite you, I challenge you, I implore you: do the same. Prepare your hearts for peace with peace. Find an hour sometime this weekend. If you can’t find it, make it. It’s important. And in that hour, get a pedicure. Or read a book for pleasure. Take a nap, cook something you’ve wanted to try, or drive around to enjoy the holiday decorations. Maybe a walk in this cooler weather, or a quiet night objecting to it with hot chocolate. Watch Bob’s Burgers or a comedy special or something that makes you laugh or cry or just feel. Catch up on that podcast you love, play a video game, or a board game with your family. Find something, make an hour for peace.

May grace and peace reign

Rev. Ben Richards