Advent 2: Peace
Horsham: 7th December 2025
This is the second week of Advent. The theme of this week is ‘peace’
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
From Isaiah 9:6
Prince of Peace
Isaiah, writing about 800 years before the birth of Jesus, prophesied that he would carry the name ‘Prince of Peace’. Most of us know very little of the Hebrew language, but many of us are familiar with the word which is usually translated into English as ‘peace’. The Jewish word is ‘shalom’ (שָׁלֽוֹם).
This is one of those moments when the English language is inadequate. In English, the word ‘peace’ generally means something to do with silence, being quiet, or the absence of war. The Hebrew word ‘Shalom’ means so much more than that.
Shalom says ‘may you be blessed in every way’ It is an expression of genuine, profound, heartfelt goodwill towards the person or the household to whom it is addressed. It’s like a prayer for the pouring out of God’s goodwill into someone’s life.
The names of Christ are profoundly important and meaningful. The Prince of Peace, is the one who offers that extraordinary blessing of absolute goodwill in the richest, deepest and most generous way possible.
Advent Challenge
So here’s a challenge for this Advent week. A challenge to make advent Shalom part of your life as a follower of Jesus.
The challenge is simple. Go for a walk. Wander around the shops or your neighborhood. Look around at fellow passengers on the bus or train. Wherever you go, look into the faces of the people you pass.
As you walk through your day, pause to notice the people around you. Silently pray shalom over them—friends, strangers, even those very different from you. Desire God’s deepest blessings for each one, because all are loved by Him.
Be intentional. Be ready to speak the blessing of Shalom over those who actively follow other faiths or have no faith. Even those who have lifestyles and tastes which we don’t approve of or are in some way very different from our own.
Why are we doing this? Because all people are loved by God, and so as his followers we are called to be ready to share His love and blessing, His shalom, with them too.
Of course, conversations are great, but as a first step, you don’t even have to speak to people. You simply need to silently pray over them as you pass each other (don’t shut your eyes.. you’ll either bump into people or fall down a pothole). Try to look at them. Try to notice them. Try to see them through the eyes of the Prince of Peace.
On that first Christmas, heaven’s heart was to pour this shalom over all mankind. Let that same heart shape your Advent journey, not just for this season, but as a way of life.
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14, NKJV)
