Week 1: Hush the noise, reconnect with love and peace
1 December Jeremiah 33:14 – 16
Jeremiah was required to be firm with Judah, yet he also offered hope and comfort. He promised compassion to people about to be exiled while telling them to wait patiently for God to save them. God will fulfil the promise he made.
Israel and Judah are the two places we think about during Advent because Mary and Joseph had to travel from one to another. These are the lands or kingdoms from where Jesus came: Nazareth, in Israel; and Jerusalem, in Judah. God’s promise was to reunite the two kingdoms.
We know only too well all that is happening in these lands today. We are called to live together without conflict and violence, to live in safe places, and to live together in love and peace. This advent we ask ourselves: what do we know about places of conflict, how do we pray, and what is needed to resolve this? Can we write and campaign for more to be done so that all people can live in peace and love?
Sharon Read
Thank you, Lord, for the promise of a ruler to lead with justice and righteousness.
Thank you for your promise of safety and salvation.
In this unsafe, unjust world, help us to keep on trusting your word,
Help us to live eagerly expecting the fulfilment of all things in Christ, our righteousness
Amen
