Open Advent Window 20 - Advent Candle - 167th Bristol Westbury Baptist Scout Group

Prince of Peace

Reflection by James Watson
(Minister of Westbury Baptist Church)

So, what’s your favourite game to play at Christmas? Monopoly? Trivial Pursuit? Charades? Or perhaps you’re happier on your X-Box or Nintendo Switch?

Whichever you prefer, I wonder if you’re anything like us, with many of our best planned family games ending up in arguments! Whether it’s plastic counters, or plastic controllers, something gets thrown across the room!

Well, on the fourth Sunday in Advent, it’s common to think about the idea of ‘peace’.

We might think that peace is just a time when you’re not fighting. But in the Bible, ‘peace,’ means a lot more than this. The Bible word for peace is ‘Shalom.’ And it speaks of a wholeness or completeness.

In fact, the Bible’s idea of peace, is a bit more like a good old fashioned jigsaw puzzle, when you put that final piece in. There’s a satisfaction. A sense of wholeness in our lives.

And when that wholeness exists, amazing things happen! People start working together for each other’s good, looking to serve one another’s needs, sharing, and loving. Now, it’s not easy to live in that sort of peace, especially with those you don’t really like! And that’s why we need God’s help.

Long before he was born, Jesus was called the Prince of Peace. And he came to bring peace, even to those who were his enemies. He came to lead each of us back to peace with God and all creation.

Just as an uncompleted puzzle is so frustrating, the brokenness and frustration of the world has been felt by us all this year. But Christians still believe that Jesus is the only way to mend that brokenness. If you are feeling incomplete, with pieces scattered about, or sick of the fighting in the world, then maybe it’s time to seek out the Prince of Peace this Christmas?

Remember the Letter of the Day

Each Advent Day we reveal one letter. When you visit the Window, somewhere around Westbury-n-Trym, you will see that the QR code poster has a letter. Collect all 24 letters and rearrange them in to a four letter phrase. If you submit the phrase here, you will enter a prize draw. Submissions close on Sunday 10th January 2021.

Here is a clue to get you started: