December 8

The Second Week in Advent

 

Today many churches light the second candle on the Advent Wreath, which is often called the Peace Candle.    The reading from Isaiah helps us to imagine a world where  the wolf and the lamb will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like an ox.   And a small child will walk among them unharmed, even lead them to a place we call the peaceable kingdom.     This hope flickers in us like a flame in a dark room.   No matter how bad the world seems, we long for a day when peace will reign.

 

These days we have been reflecting on the life of Nelson Mandela.   A fierce opponent of apartheid in South Africa, he spent 27 years in prison before his release.    By then he was already an older man, gray streaking his head.   He had every reason to be angry, bitter, hateful.  He taught his country a different lesson:   that there was enormous power in forgiveness, hope for all who could live together in peace.   That has been the miracle of South Afirca.  That can be the miracle in each of our lives, too.

 

Peace Wassail

(to the tune of Gloucester Wassail)

Wassail, wassail, here's peace to this house,

To the cat in the chair and the small hiding mouse,

To the folks in their beds and the people they love,

All blest by the One who gives peace from above.

 

Come dream of a world of impossible joy,

A future of peace for each girl and boy,

Where lion and lamb lay asleep in the stall,

And eagle and wren sing a tune for us all.

 

So here's to the spirit of kindness and light,

The peace that enfolds us each cold winter's night,

May gentleness reign, let us heal and forgive,

Light the candle of peace for as long as you live.

 

Wassail, wassail, here's peace to this house,

To the dog in its bed and the scurrying mouse,

To each stranger and friend may our arms open wide

As we welcome our Lord at this bright Christmastide.

 

--Timothy Haut, December 8, 2013