The Lessons of Advent: Peace

You may have noticed that my outlines have gotten shorter as Advent has gone on.  All part of the experiment, I suppose.  I am learning that, while my kids are still very excited about "doing the candles" each night before bed, they can't seem to focus quite as much as their mommy would prefer.  So, I have tried to stick with the big picture, and I think they have actually learned about the concepts of hope, love, joy, and peace.  And this, I say, is progress.  Hallie knows that "peace" means we don't have to be afraid.  They know that "joy" means, in H's words tonight, "to be excited!" (followed by her crazy-woman dance, apparently to showcase her grasp of the idea).  And they know the verse we have focused on for each candle.  So, we're moving in baby steps around here.  But I am grateful for any retention, and I am hoping we can build on these concepts and talk more about them over time.  So, without further ado, our last candle before the Christ candle on Saturday morning!...

PEACE

"My peace I give you."  John 14:27

Who is talking in this verse? 

          Jesus.  Jesus says that He gives us peace.

What is peace?

          Peace is knowing that we don't have to be afraid (with an older child I'd use words like "feeling secure" or "contentment," but we aren't quite there).  Are you ever afraid?  (Anyone who's read anything on this blog knows the answer to this question for my big girl!)  We don't have to be afraid because Jesus has told us that He will give us peace!  So when we're afraid, we should pray and ask Jesus for peace.  In fact, the end of our memory verse says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid."

Song:  We have sung the "I've got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart" verse of the girls' old favorite, "Down in my Heart."  This is a new verse for them, and Hallie likes it because it's tricky to say--tricky enough that she is still working on it, actually.

Peace also means that we are able to get along with other people.  When sisters get along with each other, there is peace in the family.  Jesus gives us that peace, too.  We are able to have peace with our friends and family because Jesus teaches us how to love each other.