Advent: A Time of Peace
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:46-56, John 16:33
26 One month later God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee 27 with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph from the family of King David. 28 The angel greeted Mary and said, “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was confused by the angel's words and wondered what they meant. 30 Then the angel told Mary, “Don't be afraid! God is pleased with you, 31 and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. 33 He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end.” 34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not even married!” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God's power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. 36 Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. 37 Nothing is impossible for God!” 38 Mary said, “I am the Lord's servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.
Luke 1:26-38
46 Mary said: With all my heart I praise the Lord, 47 and I am glad because of God my Savior. 48 God cares for me, his humble servant. From now on, all people will say God has blessed me. 49 God All-Powerful has done great things for me, and his name is holy. 50 He always shows mercy to everyone who worships him. 51 The Lord has used his powerful arm to scatter those who are proud. 52 God drags strong rulers from their thrones and puts humble people in places of power. 53 God gives the hungry good things to eat, and sends the rich away with nothing. 54 God helps his servant Israel and is always merciful to his people. 55 The Lord made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his family forever! 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months. Then she went back home.
Luke 1:46-56
33 I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.
John 16:33
Memory Verse
Luke 1:38
38 Mary said, “I am the Lord's servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.
Are there any big changes coming in your life? Have you been expecting these changes? Sometimes we see big changes coming, and they change our whole lives: maybe it’s a move to a new city, the birth of a sibling, or waiting to start the next grade. When a big change happens, we can feel both excited and anxious.
Mary, a young teenager, was engaged to Joseph when, all of sudden, the angel Gabriel appeared and told her that she would be the mother of the Son of God! How do you think she reacted to this incredible news? Was she excited? Did she worry what Joseph would think? Did she feel anxious about becoming a mother so unexpectedly? Jesus’ arrival would dramatically change her life forever.
Look at the end of Mary’s astonishing conversation with an angel! Mary felt at peace and beautifully responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” This was great faith! In trust, Mary gave everything that she was and everything she wanted to be to the Lord. She obeyed the word of God spoken to her. By answering that she was the Lord’s servant, she had peace about God making big changes to the plans she’d made for her life. Today, we still are amazed by that peace.
Mary heard the angel say, “Nothing is impossible with God.” Believe and trust that God has a plan for you too. Whatever you face, God is with you. God is faithful and will protect you. When we feel anxious about changes that are happening, we can pray for peace. And God, who knows us really well, will calm our anxiety and give us his peace.
Prayer
Prince of Peace, thank you that you are with us even when we are going through big changes. Help us walk in peace during the weeks of Advent, as we wait and prepare for Jesus’ coming. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.Related Resources
Ron VandenBurg
Senior Producer of Children’s Ministry at ReFrame Ministries
Ron VandenBurg joined the ReFrame Ministries team in 2014. He plans and develops projects specifically for the spiritual formation of children. Before coming to ReFrame, Ron taught middle-school for 27 years. Ron completed a M. Ed. degree in Teaching, Learning and Development at Brock University. Ron and Rachel have three fantastic adult children and one grandchild and reside in Ontario.