Advent 2025: Peace

This lecture focuses on the theme of peace, particularly within the context of Advent, and its profound significance in our lives and communities. Jill, the speaker, introduces the concept of peace, or the Hebrew term "shalom," as more than just the absence of conflict; it represents a state of flourishing for all creation. She emphasizes the importance of peace during the Advent season, a time of anticipation as the church reflects on Israel's longing for a Messiah and their waiting for Christ's second coming.

Throughout the discourse, Jill contrasts the peaceful moment in the nativity story, where angels proclaim "Peace on earth," with the current state of the world, which often feels steeped in unrest and brokenness. Acknowledging the inherent struggles within both personal and societal contexts, she emphasizes the church's role in lamenting these realities and yearning for divine intervention. Jill reflects on how communal liturgy helps the church confront the brokenness in their community, particularly through their shared experiences of grief and yearning for mercy.

As she shares personal insights, Jill confesses that she often finds it easier to lament outward issues rather than introspective ones, prompting a deeper exploration of how Christ’s peace impacts both external relations and internal struggles. She turns to the biblical text of Ephesians, particularly Ephesians 2:11-22, providing a rich analysis of how Paul addresses the division between Jews and Gentiles in the early church. She illustrates the barriers that existed, akin to physical walls that separated groups within the temple, and highlights how Christ, through his sacrifice, dismantles these divisions, creating a new humanity united in peace.

Through various metaphors, Jill describes this new community as a family and a temple, emphasizing that believers, regardless of their backgrounds, are called to live in unity, embodying the peace of Christ. She discusses the radical implications of this unity, which goes beyond tolerance to a genuine embrace of diversity as enriching the communal life. The speaker paints a picture of a growing temple, symbolizing the ever-expanding presence of God as believers come together, strengthened by the Spirit and grounded in Christ.

As she wraps up her sermon, Jill connects the themes of peace in Christ with the open invitation for communal worship and reflection, reinforcing the transformative power of Christ's peace that not only mends broken relationships but also builds a harmonious, inclusive community. She concludes with the reminder that peace is active and sacrificial, rooted in the cross, encouraging the audience to respond to this message through worship and a commitment to living out the peace of Christ in their everyday lives. The lecture serves as an exhortation for individuals and the collective church to pursue the wholeness of shalom in light of their shared identity in Christ.