Unflustered wholeness. Joys ample. Haven ensured. God’s presence. Eden had it all. With just two bites, a severance of cosmic proportions came between God and us because we chose to go our own way. Eden was lost, but the memory has stayed with us, and we continue to pursue Edenic peace.
God’s extravagant love was such that all was not lost forever. Advent reminds us to celebrate Jesus’ arrival because his arrival came with forgiveness and reconciliation, a path back to God and to the peace we once had. Romans 5:1 confirms that, “. . . since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Our peace comes because of what Jesus accomplished in his life and on the cross, not because of what we do. We cannot earn this reconciliation, nor can we earn this peace. This peace is a generous gift.
Peace with God means we can walk confidently into our day, knowing that we do not walk alone but with God. Our reconciled relationship with God isn’t just for the afterlife, but for the very life we are living here and now. If we are out of peace, that lack is a symptom inviting us to reflect. Is God trying to reveal something? Is there wrongdoing that puts space between God and us? Do we need to slow down? Is our focus shifting to lesser things? Even a lack of peace can be a gift.
Peace isn’t just offered to you and me as individuals but to us as a community. When our relationship with God broke down in the garden, it also broke our relationship with one another; as we blamed others for our mistakes, we shifted from caring for the larger community of creation to becoming self-focused and self-serving. Deep within us, we know this is not a sustainable or life-giving path. There is hope for peace in community.
When considering the nativity, Jesus’ birth was witnessed and celebrated by a community of shepherds. A caravan of wise men committed to journeying together a long distance to meet Jesus. When Jesus taught and performed miracles, villages were transformed. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, people came together and shared what they had with others in need. When we realize peace and wholeness are for communities, we can look for ways to practice this kind of peace, this kind of kingdom come, together.
The peace we experience and witness here is a foreshadowing. Whatever path we find ourselves on, we hold fast to the truth that a new Eden in the new heaven and new earth will be the forever finale. Jesus is coming again, and Advent reminds us to be expectant in our waiting. Bruised bodies and broken relationships will be made right. Our minds will be transformed. Our needs will be met because we won’t be in lack or in competition with each other ever again. We will fully enjoy being with God and with one another. Peace, shalom, everlasting wholeness will be ours again.
As we celebrate this Advent season, let’s reflect on where our peace comes from and what God might be communicating to us through peace. Let’s dream about what peace looks like in ourselves, in our homes, and in our communities. As we wait for Jesus’ second coming, let’s notice together the peace God is already bringing in our hearts and in those around us. Then, we can rejoice like the shepherds and be as steadfast as the wise men in our journey home to Eden.