Advent Two | Author: Bill Crean
Reading: John 1:1-18
Meditation
Peace is a relatable word – until life gets loud. Some days it feels like everyone else sails calm seas while we’re stuck in choppy water. John acknowledges this and gives us hope: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” He doesn’t deny the darkness. He simply says it doesn’t win.
I’ve been thinking about inner peace and how it manifests in us. And lately, I’ve found myself drawn to the small patches of nature we pass every day without noticing. A stand of trees on the edge of a park. A row of pines next to a parking lot. A creek running under the road. Amid the clatter and clamor of everyday life, these ordinary places can bring us peace if we let them.
This week, try walking somewhere you can see even a small slice of nature. You’ll probably still hear traffic or construction or whatever else the world is throwing at you. But look past all that and focus on what’s in front of you. Let your eyes settle on the whole scene for a moment. Even an isolated cluster of trees has its own stillness, its own quiet dignity. There’s peace there, even when the rest of life feels unraveled. Focus on it, breathe it in, and clear your mind.
Then, take a moment to zoom in. Instead of the whole tree, focus on a single branch. Notice its details – its strength, its stillness, its quiet presence. There’s peace there too.
And then, zoom in even closer. One leaf. One pine needle. Think about the life that unfolds there over time – sun, rain, photosynthesis, insects finding food and shelter. From afar, it looks uninteresting. But looking closely, it’s a world of its own. Notice the pine needle gently riding the breeze. And then realize… for a moment you’ve blocked out the city noise. You’ve found peace in a place you didn’t expect.
John tells us that the light of Christ works the same way. It’s cosmic and vast, yet close enough to wrap around you like your favorite sweater. Peace doesn’t disappear when we can’t feel it. Close your eyes and let the sound of traffic fade, replaced by the whisper of a leaf in the breeze. That’s peace – there even when we think it’s gone. It dwells in your mind, heart, and soul. Like God’s light, peace is always there when we’re open to it.
Prayer
Gracious God, you who calms the storms and quiets our hearts, draw near to us when life feels unsettled. Open our eyes to the sacred places where your peace is already here: in the whisper of wind or in a single leaf. Help us to breathe deeply your presence and trust that your light always shines. May your peace find us right where we are. Amen.
