Daily Archives: December 22, 2016

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on December 22, 2016  

2 Days Until My Head Explodes, Or Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

December 22, 2016 – 2 Days Until My Head Explodes, Or Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:25-27

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The Fourth Candle (The Candle of PEACE)

The fourth candle reminds us that Jesus comes to bring Peace to both the world and to people’s hearts. Without Christ there is no peace in this world.

On this date, December 22, 1963, the official 30 day mourning period for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy ended. Killed on November 22 in Dallas Texas by a lone gunman (though that fact is still disputed), America lost one of its great presidents. One of his greatest feats was staring down the Russian government and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev during the Cuban Missile Crisis. During this crisis, leaders of the U.S. and the Soviet Union engaged in a tense, 13-day political and military standoff over the installation of nuclear-armed Soviet missiles on Cuba, just 90 miles from U.S. shores. In a TV address on October 22, 1962, President Kennedy notified Americans about the presence of the missiles, explained his decision to enact a naval blockade around Cuba and made it clear the U.S. was prepared to use military force if necessary to neutralize this perceived threat to national security. Following this news, many people feared the world was on the brink of nuclear war. However, disaster was avoided when the U.S. agreed to Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev’s (1894-1971) offer to remove the Cuban missiles in exchange for the U.S. promising not to invade Cuba.

Peace is often elusive in our lives, but we never stop seeking peace. What sustains us in this quest is Jesus Christ – without whom there will never be peace in this world. In this season of Christmas, enjoy the moments of peace that you find, and allow that feeling to sustain you throughout the year.

Pastor Dave