Advent - Week Two - Noel, Peace, Shalom

December 5, 2021

WEEK TWO - NOEL, PEACE, SHALOM

by Abby Dixson

“The first Noël the angels did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël, Born is the King of Israel!”

Click this song link to hear The First Noel by Jill Phillips and Andy Gullahorn.

The song The First Noël, is believed to date from the 13th or 14th century, and has been a dearly loved Christmas Carol throughout the years. “Noël, Noël!” One known definition for the word Noel is “divine peace.” The Hebrew word for peace is Shalom—meaning “nothing missing, nothing broken; complete wholeness.” According to Strong’s Concordance, “Shalom comes from the root verb shalam, meaning, ‘to be complete, perfect, and full.’ Thus, Shalom is much more than the absence of war and conflict; it is the wholeness that the entire human race seeks.” Noel Peace Shalom blog

I love this Christmas Hymn because it reflects the heart of God towards humankind, by sending His one and only son, Jesus, to a broken world to reconcile us with the Father. He, Jesus, is the Prince of Peace; and the Scriptures teach us that, “…we have been justified by faith,” which brings us “divine peace” with God. (Romans 5:1 NKJV) “Noël, Noël!” The “peace” that the world offers is temporary—and does not resolve the inner conflict that separates us from a loving relationship with God. The “peace” that comes through a relationship with Jesus is God’s gift to restore a dark, broken world unto Himself.

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with stop-adhd-meds.com and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Isaiah 9:6–7 (NKJV)

Question: As we reflect on the Prince of Peace during Advent, how can we invite him to bring his peace into our lives today and in the days ahead?

Prayer Power: My Christmas blessing to you: “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you [His] peace. Shalom! (from Numbers 6:24–26 NKJV)

Jeannie Blocher head shot Abby has been teaching Body & Soul® classes for over three decades and has a passion to help students safely reach their fitness goals and encourage each person to grow in faith. She is an ACE Gold Certified Health and Fitness Coach with certifications in Group Fitness, Personal Training, and Medical Exercise. Abby is also a Cancer Exercise Specialist (CES), with CETI. Approved to teach all five (5) Body & Soul® programs, Abby is also a Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist, Member of ACSM, IDEA, and Wellcoaches®. Abby’s words to live by: “Movement is Medicine!™”

To download the full Advent Devotional Booklet, click here.