Dear Friends,

The Advent season is once again with us. Yet this year again, its commencement is shadowed by the deep anxieties of a world still struggling for peace in many countries. As we light the first candles—symbols of Hope—it is impossible to ignore the severe conflicts tearing at the global fabric, from the long-standing wars in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas, to the devastating persecution faced by Christians in places like Nigeria, Sudan, and across the Middle East.

How can a season of anticipation for the "Prince of Peace" resonate when the world seems so utterly devoid of Shalom—the Hebrew concept of perfect harmony and wholeness? The answer lies in understanding the profound and dual nature of Advent itself, which you will allow me to explain briefly.

The word "Advent" comes from the Latin “adventus”, meaning "coming" or "arrival." This coming is far more than a simple countdown to Christmas; it is a four-week season of preparation that holds two distinct, yet connected, moments of arrival:

1. The First Coming (Past): We remember and celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ as a vulnerable infant in Bethlehem— Emmanuel, God dwelling among us, bringing the promise of ultimate redemption and the blueprint for a new reality.
2. The Second Coming (Future): We look forward with longing to Christ's promised return at the end of time, when he will fully establish his kingdom, judge the living and the dead, and restore all creation to perfect, unbroken peace.

This period in between these two comings is the reality of our current, "still-suffering world." Advent forces us to lament the brokenness we see while simultaneously holding onto the fierce, resilient hope of what is promised.

In a world defined by suffering, where innocent lives are caught in crossfire and many Christians face hostility simply for their faith, Advent offers not a naive platitude, but a radical challenge and a source of strength which involves:

• A Call for Courageous Peacemaking: The Prince of Peace, foretold by Isaiah, was born into a world under the heel of an oppressive colonial power (Rome). His "peace" (eiréné) was not the absence of conflict, but the holistic state of right-relationship with God and one another. Advent calls us, as followers, to become peacemakers—to actively seek justice, alleviate suffering, and bear witness against violence, even when it is dangerous to do so.
• Solidarity with the Persecuted: The Christians in Nigeria, Sudan, and the Middle East, who cling to their faith amidst threat and hardship, embody the original spirit of Advent. They are the ones who wait with the deepest hope, trusting that the one who came as a baby to redeem the world will one day return to fully wipe away all tears and end all persecution. Their steadfastness is a powerful testament to the peace that "surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7), a peace that exists even within turmoil.
• The Assurance of Justice: The Biblical vision of the Messiah is not merely a ruler of peace, but a ruler of justice and righteousness (Isaiah 9:7). In the face of seemingly endless war and the systemic injustices that fuel persecution, Advent reminds us that God's passion for setting things right is unwavering. This hope in final justice gives the faithful the strength to persevere, knowing their suffering is not the final word.
• This Advent season, the glow of the wreath’s candles shines most brightly against the deepest darkness. It invites us to stop, reflect, and reorient our hearts not toward commercial frenzy, which will soon take our country by storm, but toward the arrival of the one who changes everything.
• As we anticipate the peace of Christ, we must first allow that peace to transform us. We are called to embody the hopeful waiting, courageous peacemaking, resilient joy, and self-giving love that Jesus demonstrated.
• Our preparation must extend beyond our own homes and Churches. It must include prayer for the nations at war, advocacy for the persecuted, and acts of love that bring small pockets of Shalom into our own sphere of influence.

This is what Advent is all about: Acknowledging the present brokenness yet passionately living in the light of the promised arrival—the certainty that the Prince of Peace has come, is at work, and will come again to complete the work of restoration. As we begin this season, I wish you all a fruitful preparation and an abundance of blessings.

I love you!

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