Candle of Peace
This morning I shall light the second of the candles on the advent wreath. (For a reminder on the significance of all four click here) This one is traditionally known as the ‘candle of peace’, and relates to the prophets. The Old Testament is oozing with prophecies about Jesus in general and his birth in particular. However, if we are going to do more than simply ‘tick them off’ in a kind of prophecy spotting exercise, we have to face some tough questions.
Today I shall be looking at the prophecy regarding the Messiah in Micah 5 v. 1 – 5. It is not hard to see how it was fulfilled in the events of the first Christmas at Bethlehem. It is a lot harder to see, though, is where it might be fulfilled now.
- Many of his flock are not obviously strengthened by the presence of the shepherd
- In some parts of the world they do not live securely, indeed some would say that a Christian dies for their faith somewhere around the world every few minutes
- His greatness does not reach the ends of the earth. Some have never heard of it, and others (such as those in post-Christian Europe) may choose to shrug and turn away.
In such circumstances, should the prophets’ candle of peace still burn?
German theologians seem to have a particular knack for holding these quandaries in tension. I have written on Alfred Delp’s understanding of Advent here before. Below is the last ever issue of the dialectical theological journal “Zwischen den Zeiten” (translated as ‘between the times’), published in 1933. Its contributors were wrestling especially then with the clash between the harsh reality of now, and the glittering promise of then.
In order to keep the prophets’ candle of peace burning with conscience we must do as the journal’s contributors did, and hold now and then suspended in a delicate tension of faith. When now seems intolerable, our hearts are lifted by the prospect of then. When then seems impossibly far off, we redouble our efforts to find his presence in the now. In the midst of that tug of war comes Micah’s promise that ‘he shall be our peace’ – not offer it or indicate it, but be it.
When we read the letters from Christ to his churches, there is one phrase which he uses with every one, regardless of their suffering, success, failure or trial: ‘I know’. As we live Zwischen den Zeiten, tending the candle of peace and shielding it from the icy blasts of misfortune – he knows. And sometimes, that is enough…
Image: historiches-lexikon-bayerns-de
