This week we had different students light first the Advent Candle of Peace (Bethlehem Candle) and later the Candle of Joy (Shephard’s Candle). Staff and students could reflect on the ultimate Prince of Peace, King Jesus and how He would ultimately procure that blood bought peace for His people at Calvary.
Amazingly, shepherds heard the heavenly host praising God say, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.”
Why would God send His heavenly messengers to the outskirts of an unimpressive city, to a small group of lowly physical laborers, who had to work the night shift? Why would we be entrusted with the same message, unimpressive as we are during the day shift?
Whether it is during the reign of Caesar Augustus in the City of David which is called Bethlehem or during the reign of Justin Trudeau in the City of Kitchener, God’s promised peace is just as needed and just as real. The advantage we have is a historical one. We now look back with greater awe and wonder at how that peace was purchased through a LAMB’s blood, a very real cost the shepherds’ lambs would experience, but little did those night shift shepherds know, this baby Jesus would be that LAMB of God sacrificed for them.
During an Advent service boys read Isaiah 11:10:
“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”
In fulfillment of prophesy, we thank our gracious God that even Gentiles in Kitchener would seek this Prince of Peace and experience His glorious rest.
