Advent 2025, Day 13

Day 13, December 12, 2025

Theme: Peace

Readings:

Reading: Zec 2:10-13 Gospel: Lk 1:26-38 

Reflections:

We read in Zechariah that when God moves, stands, or speaks, there is full attention given. In other words, God's being and presence bring peace.  The scripture is simple and clear: Be still because God is coming from a holy place, a place we have almost no idea about.  This description of God just emanates his power, doesn't it?

In Luke, we see two layers of peace: One, the peace of Mary in the face of amazingly unsettling and disruptive news, for which she deserves great respect. And two, the peace that Jesus brings.  

This causes reflection about concepts of peace and the reality of God's kingdom.  Peace in kingdoms is associated with longevity.  Kingdoms also must survive power grabs, mutiny, and disrespect.  Jesus' kingdom is never-ending and it is surviving.  The kingdom of Jesus is ETERNAL. How's that for stable?  It is everlasting.  Who would try to mutiny against an eternal kingdom with an endless power source?  The peace isn't explicit in today's passage, but if we think about the excitement from Gabriel's point of view, it was incredible.  He saw Lucifer oppose the living God and the subsequent expulsion.  Jesus' kingdom—his rule, reign and dominion — is and will forever be all-powerful, all-loving, all good, and eternal.  No evil or war can overcome it, try as it may. 

Let's close by thinking about the eternal, sturdy nature of God's kingdom. Jesus came to solidify this peaceful kingdom by first being a helpless baby, and entrusting himself completely to an unsuspecting teen mom.

Song: Mary, Did You Know? by Kenny Rogers with Wynonna Judd

Bonus! My Advent 2025 playlist is ready for you to listen to on Apple Music. It's diverse, and it was so much fun to put together as I read through the scriptures and wrote this series.

NOTE the songs are on Apple Music, which you can get for a month for free if you are new... I just didn't want an obnoxious YouTube Ad ruining your quiet time :-)

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If you are looking for a nondenominational church in the Denver area, check out denverchurchofchrist.org