Advent at the Table: A Devotional for the Second Sunday in Advent

Village pastors Revs. Rodger Nishioka, Maggie Johnson Phillips, Zach Walker, and Anna Owens have written a devotional for each Sunday in Advent. Each devotional is meant to be read as you light the Advent candle on your wreath at home each week. We will publish each week’s devotional here, but you may also stop by the church and pick up a printed devotional booklet to take home with you. These can be used from year to year; start a new holiday tradition with your family!

If you prefer, you may download the PDF file here with all five weeks of devotionals.

Read

Numbers 6:24-26

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Reflect

Peace is woven all throughout scripture. In fact, in the Old Testament alone, the word shalom or “peace” in Hebrew is mentioned 110 times. That must mean that peace is something that we need to pay attention to. The writers of scripture wanted us to know that peace is at the foundation of God’s love for us.

But what does this peace actually mean?

Shalom is peace that means completeness. It means wholeness. Biblical peace is the idea that God wants all of God’s people to feel whole and well and secure. There is an element of physical and emotional safety to this peace. There is a hope that all people are made well and have their needs met.

This blessing from the book of Numbers is a blessing towards this peace, a blessing to all people that we might be made new and whole in every way.

We have an invitation in this second week of Advent. As we light the peace candle, I wonder—what wholeness are you seeking in this season? What peace does the world desperately need?

Close with Prayer

God of peace,
We celebrate your gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love.
But on this day, we are particularly drawn to peace.
Your peace, Holy One.
Draw us closer to you.
Draw us closer to you so that we might know true peace.
Draw us closer to you so that all your children may someday know complete shalom.
In the name of the Prince of Peace we pray, Amen.

Want more devotionals?

Subscribe to Advent daily video devotionals from our pastors, published each day during Advent. You can get them directly in your email inbox, or view them on our YouTube channel.

See all that’s happening at Village this Christmas at villagepres.org/christmas.