Today is December 11th in the second week of Advent.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.  
 
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 4.   
 

“Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 
 

When Jesus heard that John – his cousin – had been arrested, Jesus withdrew, leaving one small, backwater town for another. Jesus came as a king, preaching about the kingdom of heaven. And yet he didn’t show up much like one would expect a king to show up. Often, to look deeply at Jesus is to be surprised, or to have your expectations interrupted. As you come to prayer today, how is Jesus interrupting you, or your expectations, about who He is? 
 
Kings and leaders of this world usually get to peace through power. Jesus came as a different sort of King of Peace. He gave up power. Gave up privilege. He didn’t ride into town on a war horse, but on a humble donkey. He didn’t demonstrate his kingship by might, but in humility. He wasn’t born into a palace, but into a refugee family holed up in a barn.  
 
Reflect for a few moments on what all of this speaks to the way Christ comes as our King of Peace. Does he come and get rid of our darkness in one fell swoop? Or does he come and walk with us in the midst our darkness? Ask God for eyes to see where he is slowly pushing back the darkness in your life with the dawning light of his kingdom.  

Take time to welcome Christ’s light and peace into that space, trusting He can be present to you in His peace this Advent, even if you’re walking through the valley of the shadow…  
 
Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee. 
Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… 
In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.