Prince of Peace

Advent Devotional

Week One

Monday, December 1 – Read Isaiah 9:6-7 Isaiah gives us the text that we will follow for our Advent sermon series. Verse 6 gives us a litany of names worthy of ascribing to Jesus Christ. Verse 7 gives us a view of what Christ will ultimately do in the fullness of time. I’m fascinated by the first sentence which states that Christ’s government will have two markers; increase and peace. Last time I checked, governments expanded through war and oppression, not peace. As a matter of fact, a large percentage of US spending goes to the military. What would you imagine would need to happen for our government to be based upon peace and not war?

Pray for a government of peace.


Tuesday, December 2 – Read Proverbs 17:1 Perhaps this is the root of the old saying “Money can’t buy you happiness.” If you own a car you rank in the top 3% of people in the world by wealth. A garage to put it in (whether or not your car fits in it with all the other junk not withstanding) ranks you in the top 2%. Are you happier than the other 98%? There is no promise that doing without will bring peace, however there seems to be a direct correlation between how complicated our lives are and how unsettled we are. What would you be willing to do without that might bring peace to your home?

Prayer for peace in your home.


Wednesday, December 3 – Read Proverbs 16:6-7 We live in a society based upon competition. At work you compete with other companies, you compete with other employees, you compete with the economy, and you compete with issues which are out of your control. That competition does not engender peace. Following in the ways of the Lord draw others to your side. Life is meant to be lived walking side by side with others rather than working against them. What can you change this week to make your workplace environment more Godly?

Pray for peace in your workplace.


Thursday, December 4 – Read Proverbs 14:29-30 It’s a well established fact that high stress environments lead to declining health. There are many steps to be taken that reduce that stress. If change on the job front isn’t an option, consider one of the other methods. Meditation, prayer and exercise can all lead toward a reduction in stress and, therefore, peace in your heart.

Pray for peace in your heart and the hearts of people you know to be stressed.


Friday, December 5 – Read Matthew 10:12-14 Jesus tells us to “let your peace rest on” homes that welcome you. It would seem to be a blessing of sorts that we can actually drop off and leave with those who welcome us. Have you considered you have the power to drop off peace at your neighbors home? How can you package your peace and deliver it to a neighbor in need?

Pray for peace in the homes of your neighbors.



Saturday, December 6 – Read John 16:33 Nothing brings more contentment to your heart than knowing your team has come in first place. When you side with Christ you win. That’s what the resurrection means to us. Advent means preparation for the coming of the Christ Child. But we cannot lose sight of the fact Christ will grow to be a man who dies on the cross. In Easter we know that death is not the final answer. Our faith in Christ means that we join Him in living eternally. We win! May you have peace in the knowledge that Christ has overcome the boundaries of this world and so may you.

Pray for those who don’t know the peace of Christ.