THE MISSING "PEACE"

 
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

On Sunday, November 27 my family and others within the Christian tradition began celebrating the season of Advent. Advent is a 4-week period when we light a candle each week to remember that, in the midst of life, we are waiting and preparing for the birth of our savior. Each week we light a change and focus on a different topic- hope, peace, love and joy.

Similar to waiting for the birth our Jesus has been a season in my life of waiting on the opening, the birth if you may, of the Berkeley Chapel. Just as you prepare for an infant, we have purchased items to prepare the space for the life ahead. Shipments have arrived full of candles, oil, linens, and many other needs to outfit this beautiful and sacred space.

The item I was most excited to receive was a gorgeous Advent wreath. Beautiful brass bases hold the 3 purple and 1 pink candles. Taking it out of the box felt like a sacred moment in itself. As I assembled it I though how perfect it was. But then…

I noticed that one of the candle holders, the beautiful brass bases, had fallen off of the ring. In my mind I thought, “Oh, even in the midst of all this beauty the peace fell off.” In the midst of perfection, I am missing peace.”

Its funny how sacred items, a beautiful brass fixture, can remind us of the reality of the world. I don’t know that it was the “peace” base that broke off, but in my spirit it was. The broken piece stole my peace. 

This season, as we prepare for the holy days ahead, may our peace not fall off in the midst of the beauty. And if we seem to lose our peace, may we find a fast remedy. For me, it was an overnight shipment of a new Advent ring. What might it be for you?
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Founded in 1960, Berkeley is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory day school located in Tampa, FL, for boys and girls in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12. Approximately 1,400 students gather here from the greater Tampa Bay area to form ONE Berkeley.