CMEP Advent Reflections-1st Sunday in Advent

by Global Ministries | published on Oct 10, 2014

Advent is a time of expectations. Biblically we return to scriptures that tell us the story of God coming to dwell with us through the birth of a baby, while politically we work and prepare for the birth of peace. How timely it is then that this year CMEP’s Advent theme is “Prince of Peace”?

In this season of hope, anticipation and celebration, CMEP has put together a series of Advent reflections around this theme that we hope can help center your prayers and celebrations upon not only the promise and hope of Christ’s birth, but also on our shared work and hope for the birth of peace in the Middle East.

As the first Sunday of Advent quickly approaches, this selection of Scripture, reflection by the Reverend Canon Robert Edmonds of Jerusalem, and prayers and questions for meditation serve as an acknowledgement that, as Rev. Edmonds says, “if peace is possible here in Jerusalem, peace is possible for everyone.”

These Advent reflections also serve as a celebration of our call to this work for peace that is deeply rooted in our faith.

This resource was written for both personal and congregation use. For this reason CMEP is making these reflections available to you prior to Advent as well as sending the reflections individually during Advent.

We encourage you to pass these reflections along to others you know who are working for peace in the Middle East. You can either send this PDF document or refer them to www.cmep.org.

Another way to use this resource is to help you raise your concerns for peace and the people of the Holy Land in your own congregation in your own way or words.
Offer a prayer for peace during the prayers of the people or ask your pastor to add this to a corporate prayer.
Put a note in the bulletin or an article in the newsletter about peace in the Holy Land.
Add a prayer for peace in the Holy Land to your Christmas cards.

CMEP would appreciate your feedback on this resource and we want to hear about how you were able to use these materials this season. You may send any comments or feedback to Doris Warrell.