Virtues on Fire: The Flame of Peace

In this second week of Advent, we light the second purple candle, the Bethlehem candle, which symbolizes peace and preparation. In this week we reflect on Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, and the peace that Mary proclaimed in her yes to the Lord.
 
Is it possible to have true joy without peace? I don’t think so. To reflect on peace as a prerequisite for joy explains the undercurrent of Mary’s joy when she went to meet Elizabeth – Mary was at peace with what the Lord had planned for her life and had asked her to do. Was she scared and unsure? Most likely. But she was at peace with it because she surrendered everything to God.  “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.” She surrendered her whole being to God’s plan and she didn’t look back. Instead, she moved forward with great joy, visiting her cousin and proclaiming all the wonderful things the Lord had already done in her own life, as well as the wonderful things He was doing for everyone through her surrender. “He has looked upon my lowliness. All generations will call me blessed, for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name!”