ADVENT TIP OF THE DAY 6: Christmas peace declaration

MJ. Smith

I am adding these posts to the previous tip list L/V 10 Tip of the Day ;

QUESTION: Describe the Christmas peace declaration in Finland.

ANSWER: from Gemini:

The Christmas Peace declaration is a unique Finnish tradition that marks the beginning of the Christmas season. It's a symbolic gesture that encourages peace, harmony, and respect during the festive period.  

Here's a breakdown of the tradition:

Origins:

Rooted in the 13th century, inspired by the Truce of God.

Established by Birger Jarl, a Swedish statesman.

Originally intended to reduce violence and crime during the Christmas season.

The Declaration:

Traditionally declared on Christmas Eve in several Finnish towns.

The most famous declaration takes place in Turku, the former capital of Finland.

The declaration is read aloud, reminding people to behave peacefully and respectfully.

It warns of potential punishment for those who violate the peace.

Modern Significance:

While the legal enforcement of the declaration ended in 1889, its symbolic importance remains strong.

It's a cherished tradition that fosters a sense of community and goodwill.

The declaration is often broadcast on national television, making it a shared moment for many Finns.

Key Points:

The Christmas Peace declaration is a unique Finnish tradition.

It encourages peace and harmony during the Christmas season.

It has historical roots dating back to the 13th century.

The declaration is read aloud in several Finnish towns on Christmas Eve.

It's a symbolic gesture that continues to hold significance in modern times.

QUESTION: What titles of Jesus Christ are related to peace?

SOFTWARE: Open the interactive Names of God, then select the facets Jesus and peace. This yields:

ANSWER: from Perplexity:

Jesus is known by several titles related to peace, each with its own Biblical roots. Here are some of the most significant ones:

Prince of Peace

This title comes from the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6, which states: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace". This prophecy foretells the coming of Jesus as a ruler who would bring lasting peace.

Giver of Peace

Jesus refers to himself as the giver of peace in John 14:27, where he says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid". This title emphasizes Jesus' role in providing a unique, divine peace that surpasses worldly understanding.

Shalom

While not explicitly used as a title in the Bible, the concept of Jesus as "Shalom" (the Hebrew word for peace) is rooted in the Old Testament prophecies and fulfilled in Christ's mission. Isaiah's prophecy points to Jesus as the one who would restore the broken shalom (peace) that existed before the Fall in the Garden of Eden.

Our Peace

In Ephesians 2:14, Paul describes Jesus as "our peace": "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation".

The Lord Is Peace

This title comes from Judges 6:24, where Gideon built an altar and "called it The-LORD-Is-Peace". While this refers to God, Christians see it as applicable to Jesus as well.

Consolation of Israel

In Luke 2:25, Jesus is referred to as the "Consolation of Israel": "And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel".

Deliverer

Romans 11:26 refers to Jesus as the Deliverer: "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob".

Lord of Our Righteousness

This title comes from Jeremiah 23:6: "In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS".

These titles highlight Jesus' central role in bringing peace to humanity, both in terms of reconciliation with God and inner tranquility for believers. They underscore the Christian belief that true and lasting peace can only be found through Christ.

QUESTION: How is peace one of the four major themes of Advent?

SOFTWARE: The synopsis of a smart search on four themes of Advent are ludicrous and set the scene for generally unuseful results:

The provided articles do not contain specific information about the four themes of Advent. One article mentions Advent in passing, listing "Peace", "Love", and "Joy" as themes for weeks 2, 3, and 4 respectively1, but it does not provide a complete set of four themes or any detailed information about Advent themes. The other articles discuss themes from various religious texts and traditions, but none are directly related to Advent. Given the lack of relevant information in the provided articles, it would be best for the user to try a different query to find specific information about the four themes of Advent.

From Warren, Tish Harrison, and Jonathan Warren Pagán. Advent: The Season of Hope. Edited by Esau McCaulley. Fullness of Time Series. Downers Grove, IL: IVP: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2023.

Advent collapses time. The past, present, and future join together in a single season of waiting for Immanuel, God With Us.

There are two ways of talking about time in the Greek language in which the New Testament was written. One is chronos. This refers to the succession of time as we experience it, one linear moment after the next. Chronos is time that can be measured and kept in weeks, days, hours, and seconds. The other is kairos. This is the “fullness of time.” This is the time of eternity. Kairos time marks the watersheds in human history and in our lives—moments that feel outside of time.

Advent happens in chronos, but, like all liturgical seasons, it steps into kairos. The whole church calendar—but especially Advent, with its three comings—is the interweaving of kairos and chronos. Past, present, and future are all equally present to us in this season. We wait with Israel in the past, we wait for Christ in the present, and we wait for his final coming in the future. Through kairos, Advent teaches us to enter into chronos as a different kind of people.

My yearly practice of waiting on these three comings of Christ shows me that I often forget how to wait on the Lord. I begin to believe I am the master and maker of my own life. I begin to believe that joy is self-made through my own ingenuity and hard work. I begin to believe that the things I most long for are within my grasp if I can only master the mad task of controlling my own life. I begin to believe I am the engineer of my own deliverance. And into these fevered deceptions, Advent comes each year and quietly asks me to pause, to remember that we do not bring the kingdom of God to the world through our own effort or on our own timeline. We wait for one outside of us and outside of time. We wait for our coming king.[2]

From Black, Vicki K. Welcome to the Church Year: An Introduction to the Seasons of the Episcopal Church. Harrisburg, PA; New York: Morehouse Publishing, 2004.

Just as in Advent and Christmas, one of the primary themes of Epiphany is light. “Advent begins in darkness and moves toward light with the lighting of the Advent candles,” the noted educator Joseph Russell explains. “Christmas proclaims the presence of the light. Epiphany calls us to spread the light.” Epiphany is also known as the Feast of Lights, as we continue our Christmas celebration of Christ as the light of the world:

What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:3–5)

Likewise, in the Old Testament reading for the Epiphany we hear the Jewish hope for the restoration of Jerusalem described in images of light:

Arise, shine; for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.…

Nations shall come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.…

They shall bring gold and frankincense,

and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord. (Isaiah 60:1, 3, 6)[3]

ANSWER: from Perplexity:

The four major themes of Advent are:

Hope

Hope is the first theme of Advent, typically associated with the first Sunday. It sets the tone for the season, focusing on the anticipation of Christ's birth and His eventual return. This theme is rooted in God's promises and encourages believers to trust in His faithfulness, even in uncertain times.

Peace

Peace is the second theme of Advent. It emphasizes the peace that Christ brings into the world and encourages us to seek inner tranquility and harmony in our relationships.

Joy

Joy is celebrated on the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday. This theme invites believers to rejoice in the anticipation of Jesus' arrival. It's often symbolized by a pink candle on the Advent wreath, representing a break from the season's penitential tone.

Love

Love is the fourth and final theme of Advent. It highlights God's boundless love for humanity, exemplified by sending His Son Jesus to redeem the world. This theme reminds us of the core message of Christmas and encourages us to embody God's love through acts of kindness and compassion.

These themes guide believers through a season of meaningful reflection and spiritual preparation, deepening their understanding of Christ's presence in their lives and preparing their hearts to fully experience the joy and mystery of Christmas.4

1 Matt Miofsky, The Methodist Book of Daily Prayer (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2023), 327.

[2] Tish Harrison Warren and Jonathan Warren Pagán, Advent: The Season of Hope, ed. Esau McCaulley, Fullness of Time Series (Downers Grove, IL: IVP: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2023), 22–24.

[3] Vicki K. Black, Welcome to the Church Year: An Introduction to the Seasons of the Episcopal Church (Harrisburg, PA; New York: Morehouse Publishing, 2004), 41.

4 and https://guideposts.org/positive-living/what-are-the-4-themes-of-advent/ and and https://hallow.com/advent/ and