Week 3: The Angels’ Song of Peace

An angelic song of peace and good will for all filled the night sky,
when Christ, the Chosen One, was born!

Peace on earth, offered first to the oppressed and abused, those on the margins, is a message of hope
made visible that first Christmas night. This peace, made manifest in the child born of Mary, is made
manifest in the world today through all who hear the song of invitation to go and see and believe.

Wait in silence – set a timer for 3 minutes, breathe slowly, silently repeating this breath prayer, or one
of your own, to bring your attention to the present moment:
Inhale… Peace of Christ Exhale… Good will for all
(Pay attention to how you feel in the silence.)

Meditate on Psalm 96
 
Sing a new song to the Lord All the earth, sing!
All you people, sing! See God’s glory, it is coming!
Tell of God’s salvation, it is coming into the world! Speak of greatness, strength to overcome.
Come out to meet the Lord, proclaiming his name. Come into his holy place and tremble.
All the earth, tremble in wonder. All the galaxies, rejoice in praise!
All the oceans and all that lives in the sea – sing for joy!
All the fields and forests and all that lives on the land – shout for joy!
For the Lord is coming - he is coming to make everything new,
he is coming to put things right. Rejoice for the Lord is coming …
But will we see him, born in a manger? Will we proclaim him, son of Mary?
Will we welcome him, this stranger in a strange land?
Will we honor him, this unexpected judge of the world?
Lord God, we see you, born in a manger. Lord Jesus, we proclaim you, son of God and son of man.
Loving God, we welcome you; come make your home among us.
Lord Jesus, we honor you and praise you and choose again to follow.
Sing a new song to the Lord! Amen.

Prayer of Awareness: How do You Come to God today?

Expecting – name your deep longing and/or hope to our ever-present God

Confessing – identify your disappointments, weaknesses and/or failings to our forgiving God

Believing – affirm your faith in our Creator God of peace

Celebrating – express your joy filled gratitude

Luke 2:8-14, First Nations Version – read slowly, attentive to what connects with your story.

That night, in the fields nearby, shepherds were keeping watch over their sheep. Suddenly a great light
from above was shining all around them. A spirit-messenger from Creator appeared to them. They
shook with fear and trembled as the messenger said to them, “Do not fear! I bring you the good story
that will be told to all nations. Today in the village of Much Loved One (David) an honored Chief has
been born who will set his people free. He is the Chosen One!”
The spirit-messenger continued, “This is how you will know him – you will find the child wrapped in a
blanket and lying in a feeding trough.”
Suddenly, next to the messenger, a great number of spirit-warriors from the spirit-world above
appeared giving thanks to Creator, saying, “All honor to the One Above Us All, and let peace and good
will follow all who walk upon the earth.”

Pause to Ponder
What word or phrase of this song connects with you, and how you know or experience God?
The angels, the spirit-warriors, could not be silent. The heavens echoed with the promise of hope for
every tribe and every nation, liberation to all who walk upon the earth, and the astounding declaration
that peace and good will would follow. When, where, and/or how do you experience His peace in the
midst of social and political unrest, and oppression? What robs you or keeps you from living in peace?
Notice, the angels first gave all honor to the One Above Us All, our Creator God. How might your=
include a practice to praise and worship in your daily time with God?   Consider how you experience
being His peace in this world? And, in what ways are you, or might you, bring good will to others,
participating with God’s good news to bring freedom to all.

Songs of the Season:

Hark the Herald Angles Sing, Celtic Women

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw38pGhPXIk
Angels We Have Heard on High, Pentatonix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAMzAIH12yc
All is Well, Point of Grace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3hBRLWYyAk
Unto Us a Child is Born, Christmas in Africa
https://ccca.biola.edu/advent/2022/#day-nov-29

Consider: Lingering in silence, attentive to your thoughts and feelings. Is there a word, thought, or
phrase from one of these songs that you might carry with you into your day?

Prayer – Father God, the One Above Us All, we celebrate you with great joy for the gift of Your Son, The
Chosen One, who is Immanuel, God with us! Grant us ears to hear and courage to go and see the
wondrous works you are doing even now, that reveal your loving presence in our world. As Christ is
made manifest in us, may we boldly declare your presence and purpose in this world, singing songs of
peace for your glory and for the good will of others! Hallelujah and Amen!

*Psalms for Advent, https://www.conversations.net.nz/advent--christmas-psalms.html