Advent 2024 Audio Devotionals
During Advent, we are focusing on the promise accompanying the Arrival of Jesus one might argue most lacking in the world at-large and in our inner world: peace. Each day poses its own challenge for peace to prevail within us and among us. For your days between Sundays, a few words about peace we didn’t have time for in sermons, but which might still arrive right on time.
The Larger Point of His Peace
As beneficial as it is to apply the gospel to the disturbances of the peace in us, there is a purpose greater still to putting the peace of the heart before everything. A closing, but not final, word on the first and lasting promise of Christmas.
Credits:
- “I Saw Three Ships,” © Kings College Cambridge, 2010, and © Blackmore, 2021
Disturbance of the Peace, III: Shame
Unlike fear and anger, shame disturbs our peace more insensibly, but just as deeply. How does the arrival of Jesus, and all that follows, answer the icy grip of shame?
Recommended
- The Shape of Joy, Richard Beck
- Stories of Shame, Dan and Rachael Allender
Disturbance of the Peace, II: Anger
In week two of Advent Fodder, we talk about a second disturbance to the peace: anger. Fear rattles us. Anger consumes us like flame to a moth. Yet, we see Jesus at times indisputably angry. Was it for him a moment of weakness, as most of our moments of anger are? Or is He a model of anger that helps us find what anger is and is meant to be? Before we’re done, we’ll apply two tests to see the character of our anger. Most anger is a disturbance of the peace of God, but some anger lives squarely in the center of that peace.
Notes
- Psalm 73: 12-17. 21-24; James 1:19-21
- The Enigma of Anger, Glenn Keizer
- Victim Statement of Rachel Denhollander
- Music: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent,” (Song in the public domain), Arrangement: ©NeumesandTunes
Disturbance of the Peace, I: Fear
For many fear has a pride of place in what disturbs our peace. Hear "Laura's" story about her confrontation with fear and maybe hear your own story in hers.
Recommended: Into The Silent Land, by Martin Laird