As we continue our journey through the advent season we recognize that peace can often be elusive in our everyday experiences. Yet Jesus came to give us peace with God, peace within ourselves, and peace in the midst of our circumstances. And because of his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and coming return, we discover that Jesus himself is our peace both now and in the age to come.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.
Additional passages: Eph 2:10, Romans 5:1, Isaiah 9:2-6