We are lighting the second advent candle across the Trust this week. This candle has by tradition
been a symbol of peace.
Jesus is anticipated in the Hebrew bible. The prophecies of Isaiah speak of a Prince of Peace to come.
Isaiah 9:6. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace.”
For 2000 years it has always struck Christians as supernatural and amazing that Isaiah can describe
this Prince of Peace as the gift of a Son, as God’s Godself and as a wonderful Counselor. They
recognized that Jesus was in fact the person described and the fulfilment of this hope and prophecy.
In the original Hebrew, the word for peace is shalom, which is more than an absence of war or a
general feeling of contentment. Shalom means completeness, wholeness. What is anticipated by
Isaiah is the arrival of the one who fulfils us completely, who satisfies our hearts restlessness and
replaces it with a fullness of life and love. This is true peace.
This is also why the daily and constant greeting of our Muslim pupils and colleagues is so beautiful:
salam alaykum, meaning peace be with you. Imagine if we greeted each other every day with this
beautiful little prayer, this wishing of peace on the other.
Jesus told his disciples that his greatest gift was peace. John 14 2727 Peace I leave with you; my
peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither
let them be afraid.
In our readings at Mass this week, we are told to prepare a way for the Lord. Let’s begin by being
peace makers this week. In this way, we ready our hearts and the world for a true Christmas.
The peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. – John 14.27
