Advent - Week 2

Week 2 
This week we light the second purple (or blue) candle on the Advent wreath.
“We light this candle in peace; Jesus is our peace.”

Questions:
When you think of the word peace, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
What would it mean for the world to have peace?
What would it mean for you to have peace?

Scripture:
Luke 1:68-79
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, 
for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 
He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, 
as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 
that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 
Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, 
and has remembered his holy covenant, 
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, 
to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, 
might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; 
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 
to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Discussion:
What does this passage have to do with peace?
Luke writes that Zechariah, father of John the Baptist said at John's birth, “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
What might these words mean?
What would it be like to be a messenger of God's peace?
How can you bring this comfort to those around you?

Activity:
Sometime before Sunday, write down a list of those in your life who need comfort (don’t forget to include yourself in this list).  
Consider how you might be someone who brings comfort and peace to these people.  
How can your family work together toward peace? 
Find a service project to participate in that brings comfort and peace to those in need.

Christmas Benevolence:
Christmas Benevolence needs a lot of help!  
This week, there are opportunities to shop with some of those who will benefit from Christmas Benevolence.  Check the church website www.secondchurch.org for a full list of opportunities.