Advent, marking the beginning of the church year, is a time of anticipation and preparation for the arrival of something greater. It is a period of deliberate tension, where we create space in our hearts for hope, peace, joy, and love. Waiting is often uncomfortable and can feel unproductive, yet it is in this waiting that we are shaped and formed. Our expectations influence how we wait, and how we wait can transform us.

Finding God's peace amid the world's noise, wars, and unrest can be challenging. Mary, mother of Jesus, exemplifies peace in Luke 1 by highlighting God's past faithfulness and future promises. She finds peace through trust in God, despite Israel's unfaithfulness. By reflecting on our spiritual heritage and the testimonies of those before us, we can also find peace.

The holidays, often portrayed as the happiest time of the year, can paradoxically be a period of deep loneliness for many. The pressure to appear joyful and successful can lead to a façade that hides the true state of our hearts. However, the gospel offers a transformative invitation to move beyond mere expectation management to a season of anticipation and hope in Christ.

True leadership, as exemplified by Jesus, is not about seeking power or personal gain but about serving others with integrity and compassion. This approach challenges the world's view of leadership, which often equates authority with dominance and self-interest. Instead, leaders are called to shepherd their communities with a servant's heart, prioritizing the well-being of others over their own ambitions.

In a world that often mocks or misunderstands our faith, we are invited to be unoffendable, to embrace suffering, and to find joy in our trials. This requires a deep reliance on Christ, a willingness to deny ourselves, and a commitment to follow Him. By doing so, we become a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the transformative love of Jesus.

Peter's call to witness is not a solitary endeavor but rather a meaningful journey undertaken through community. It involves deeply knowing and genuinely showing Jesus through our personal experiences of suffering, actively denying ourselves, and committing to loving sacrifice. These actions are not merely tasks but are, in fact, acts of worship and witness that beautifully point others to the hope and glory that can be found in a relationship with Christ.

Suffering is a complex issue that challenges our understanding of God's will. Rather than seeing God as the cause of all events, it is important to recognize the interplay of human freedom, spiritual forces, and chaos. This perspective invites us to trust in God's redemptive work amidst suffering.

Peter's instructions in his letters are not about maintaining the status quo but about subverting it from within. This concept of subversive stability involves embracing our roles and working for change through suffering love and patient endurance. This approach calls us to remain rooted in our relationships, communities, and workplaces, seeking change from within rather than fleeing when challenges arise.

As Christians, we often forget to fully embrace our true identity as sojourners and exiles in this world. This identity calls us to live differently, abstaining from the passions of the flesh and maintaining honorable conduct among those who do not share our faith. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative power of the resurrection, demonstrating a living hope that defies the pessimism and defeatism prevalent in the world today.

Often our identity as chosen by God is defined by societal standards or personal accomplishments, rather by God’s love and unique purpose for us. The message of being chosen by God, as articulated by the Apostle Peter, is not just a spiritual concept but a call to live out our faith in tangible ways, reflecting the kingdom of God in our daily lives.