I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Peace is _________________________.

Peace is _________________________.

Peace is _________________________.

People search for Peace __________________________

People search for Peace __________________________ us.

People search for Peace __________________________ us.

People need __________________________

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

The practice of Advent:

Advent invites us to _______________________.

Advent teaches us to ______________________.

Advent inspires us to keep ___________________ and to _____________________.

Some questions to keep the conversation going.


Check In:
1. Spend some time sharing about your past week.
2. How does the sermon's description of Christmas exhaustion and stress resonate with your own preparations this Advent season?​
3. In what ways have you experienced the "elusive" nature of peace in your daily life, similar to Darryl's examples of anxiety or relational tensions?​

Understanding Shalom
4. The sermon contrasts worldly peace (like Pax Romana) with the Hebrew idea of shalom as wholeness and flourishing - what differences do you see in these definitions?​
5. How does shalom, as a "caring, sharing community" rooted in justice, challenge your current understanding of peace?​ How can people “organize” shalom with their neighbours or in their neighbourhoods in mind?
6. Share a time when you longed for peace within (calming thoughts), in relationships, or in tumultuous circumstances - how might the experience of shalom change you in these experiences?​

Practices for Peace
7. What might "making space" for 15 minutes of silence look like in your schedule this week, and how could doing it communally enhance the experience?​
8. Why is waiting for peace described as a communal activity, and how have you practiced (or struggled with) waiting in past challenges?​ Does waiting with others make waiting more difficult for you?

Application and Watchfulness
9. Describe a moment this week where you noticed "Jesus working" through kindness or something else unexpected. How does training your eyes to recognize Jesus help you believe in His message of peace? ​
10. How can adopting the postures of preparing, waiting, and watching help you receive Jesus' peace as a gift, not something earned?​
11. What expectations about peace (e.g., no problems) might pull you from shalom, and how will you apply the sermon's practices to realign this Christmas?

Prayer
Spend some time praying together as you wrap up.