Third Week of Advent: Benediction of Peace

 May the Lord bless you…

   and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24&26)

For those lighting the peace candle this third week of Advent; we will do well to end the week with a blessing of peace: “Peace to all our brothers and sisters” (Eph 6:23). The Epistle to the Ephesians refers to the “Gospel of our salvation,” as “the Gospel of peace” (Eph 1:13 & 6:5). When the Gospel comes with a sword, as with the conquistadors, for example, who required that Native Americans convert to Christianity or else “We will make war on you” (Reuerimento, 1513); the gospel is no longer the Gospel. 

Like Christmas Morning, the Gospel comes to us with grace and peace. In a special way this Christmas, may all who gather experience “peace and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 6:23).