Advent Sunday of Communion and Peace, December 2, 2007

The Second Candle of Advent: Peace

Last Sunday, we lit the first candle in our advent Wreath, the Candle of Hope. We light it again as we remember that Christ will come again to fulfill all of God’s promises to us. (Relight the first Candle)

The second candle of Advent is the Candle of Peace. It is sometimes called “The Bethlehem Candle,” to remind us of the place in which preparations were made to receive and cradle the Christ Child. Peace is a gift that we must be prepared for. God gives us the gift of peace when we turn to Him in faith.

The prophet Isaiah calls Christ, ‘The Prince of Peace.” Through John the Baptist, and all the other prophets, God asks us to prepare our hearts so that He may come in.

Micah 5:2-5
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet, a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth. Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land. And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord, his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored around the world. And he will be the source of peace.”

Jesus was born in an ordinary little town, in a stable full of animals. He comes to us also in ordinary places, among ordinary people. And just as God set His star above Bethlehem that night, He also fills our seemingly ordinary lives with His light. Our Hope is in God, and His Son Jesus Christ. Our peace is found in Him, as well.

We light this candle today, to remind us that God brings Peace to all who trust in Him. (Light the candle)

Let us pray;

Loving God, thank you for the peace You gave us through Jesus. Help us prepare our hearts to receive Him. Bless our worship, guide us in all that we say and do. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem. Amen.


“A Lost Opportunity”
Brian Reid, NTUBC, December 2, 2007


Dear God,
You have given us so much, and we thank you for your love. During this Advent Season, as we prepare for the coming of Christ, as we prepare for the coming of Christmas, we ask that you fill our minds with the knowledge that Jesus gives peace to our broken and frail lives; and to fill our hearts with Your Holy Spirit.

Help us, also to understand the true meaning of the day you came to live among us, through your Son, Jesus; Amen


An old, old man sits on a large rock, with his grandson on his knee. The man’s face is weathered by the elements, and by years, upon years, of being exposed – to the harshness of the open country. Wrinkles covers all his skin. His eyes, almost closed, as he squints to see. His head shakes, and his hands are over taken by the tremors. His voice, over used by the calling of the animals, he used to care for, now you can hardly hear him speak.

But he does;

“A long, long, long time ago, when I was but a boy, I was out on the Judean Hills one night – with some other shepherds; keeping watch over the flock. And, the angel of the Lord came upon us, and the glory of the Lord shone roundabout us. And, we were very much afraid. We wanted to run, and scatter, but something held us there.”

“And then the angel spoke those words I will never, ever forget.”

“Fear not…for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord…You shall find Him, the babe, in saddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

The old man’s lips ceased to move, and he stared off into space. The silence was deafening. Moments, and then minutes passed; but the aged-shepherd, did not speak another word.

Finally, the boy turns, and looks, with wide-eyes and puzzlement, into the ancestral and worn face, of his grandfather.

“Grampie Amos,” said the boy.
“What happen next, is that all?
What did you do, when you heard the good news?
Was, what, the angel said, really true?
Was the Christ Child ever really born?


Moments, and then minutes passed, then the old man shakes his white head and answers;

“I never knew. I never went to see. The other shepherds did; I told them it as a waste of time. Some say it was nothing but a myth. Others say, they found in Him, the Light of God, the Power of Life, inner Peace and Contentment.

But for me, I could never be quite sure. I never did go to see, and my whole life, has been absent, of the peace, that other say He brought.”

The two sat on that rock, looking out into the great beyond, where the Messiah was born; for one had refused to believe, and the other never had that chance at all.


All over the world, and through out time, people have refused to believe; thus living their lives absent of the inner Peace, that Christ brings, and the Contentment of knowing He lived and died for us. Millions upon millions, of people live by a calendar, created around His birth; but do not know Him.

Because of the world’s chaos, through mankind’s own sin, Peace, inner contentment, comes only as a gift from God.

Yes, peace is an absence of war, and God brought that to many nations through out the Old Testament, but the Peace, we speak of today, is a feeling of calmness, serenity, harmony, tranquility, happiness, and inner self-composure; in knowing Christ is born.

The end result, of the work of Christ, in our lives, is deep and lasting Peace. This Peace is; ‘confident assurance - in any circumstance.’ With Christ’s Peace, we have no need to fear the present, or worry about the future.

Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces are at war - with us. The Peace of God moves into our hearts, and lives to restrain those hostile forces, and offer comfort, in place of conflict. Jesus says, He will give us that Peace, if we are willing to accept it from Him.

If your life is full of distress this Christmas, this Christmas, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ’s Peace



On Christmas Eve, they filled the house, some 50 guests all told.
(O little Lord of Christmas, were you left out in the cold?)

And ate and sang and danced did they, ‘till early morning light.
(O little Lord of Christmas, did they think of You that night?)

Next morning came the presents, on a glittering Christmas tree.
(O little Lord of Christmas, were there any gifts for Thee?)

The dinner was a Roman feast, and how, those guests did eat!
(O little Lord of Christmas, were You hungry in the street?)

Then came some teas, a movie, and at night, the last revue.
(O little Lord of Christmas, what, did these, to do, with You?)

By midnight, all were tired and cross; then tumbled into bed.
(O little Lord of Christmas, did they think You were dead?)

They all woke up with headaches, and no joy, in work or play.
(O little Lord of Christmas, did they mark Your birth that day?)

The love, the joy, were good, no doubt; the rest a pagan spree.
(O little Lord of Christmas, let us keep the day with Thee?)


Christmas, is a thoughtful remembrance, of the day, that the Christ Child was born; and Peace was given.

Communion, is a thoughtful remembrance, of the day, that the Christ Child died; and Salvation was given.

Communion Introduction

Through praise and celebration of Communion, we show our human loyalty and human love to our Lord. In Him, upon the cross, we see the true meaning of divine love and divine loyalty; that is simply unforgettable and makes everything personal.

If we were to place a headstone at the battleground of Calvary, it might say; Here, Jesus Died. But, in remembering, what really happened, as an everlasting witness of love - the headstone would say;

Here, the love of God, and the sin of man, tried their strength, and the love of God conquered!

It was a sad day when Jesus died; but without His crucifixion, His resurrection would mean nothing. This single act of compassion, by Christ, can transform all our difficulties, trails and suffering, into things of strength, beauty and meaning.

Communion Hymn: (vs 1-2)

We approach the Lord’s Table, not because we must, but because we can. If you believe that Jesus died on the cross for you, if you have a personal relationship with Christ, if you are a sinner that Jesus died for, then you are welcome at this table.

And, I invite you to attend the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of the sacrifice that Jesus made; which demonstrates the love, He has for all.

We approach this table, in humble remembrance, of the gift He gave. We know that we must enter into this Agape Meal, (this love feast) with pure hearts and thoughts. We take a few moments to cleanse ourselves before God, those things that keep us separated. Let us confess, in silence, and ask for forgiveness.

Presentation of the Bread

The Lord Jesus, on the night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Let us also give thanks, Deacon ___________ will offer thanksgiving for the bread.

(Bread is served)

“Let us eat this bread, in remembrance, of Christ’s sacrifice for us, the love He grants to us, and be thankful.”

(All partake of the bread together)

The Presentation of the Cup

“In the same way, He took the cup also, after supper, saying, this cup, is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For, as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again.”

Deacon _________________ will offer thanksgiving for the cup.

(The cup is served)

“Jesus said; this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for the many, for the forgiveness of sins. Drink this, in remembrance, that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.”

(All partake of the cup together)

End of Communion

Communion Hymn: (vs 3-4)

Final Prayer and/or Blessing: