As we come to the second candle of Advent, I’ve been thinking a lot about peace, not the big kind we wish for the world, but the quiet peace God puts in the heart. During my visit today, I met one of the residents who always receives Holy Communion. When I asked how she was, the first thing she said was, “I have surrendered everything to Him.”There was something about the way she said it… calm, steady, honest. It touched me. We ended up having a really good chat. We talked about how letting go and trusting God brings a different kind of peace. Not because life suddenly becomes easy, but because we stop carrying everything by ourselves. When we accept that God’s way is different and better, something inside becomes lighter. I felt that myself while talking to her. Moments like these remind me why I do this work. Peace doesn’t come from long explanations or big solutions. Sometimes it comes from a quiet visit, a simple prayer, or a conversation that opens the heart. God uses these ordinary moments to remind us He is close. This week’s candle invites us to bring that same peace to others, slowly, gently, in small ways. A bit of kindness. A listening ear. A calm presence. These little things really matter. Prayer Lord, give peace to anyone who is struggling right now. Teach us to surrender our worries to you. Help us bring calm, kindness, and comfort wherever we go. And guide those who feel afraid or unsettled today. As this candle burns, may it remind us that even in the middle of everything, God is near, and His peace is real.

Yesterday, as we lit the first candle of Advent, something beautiful and gentle unfolded in my heart. Advent always begins quietly, not with noise or celebration, but with a single flame. And that small flame carries a profound message: hope begins small. This first candle reminds us that God often works in ways we do not expect. He does not force His way into our lives. Instead, He arrives softly, humbly, as a child in a manger, and even now, He continues to enter our lives one small light at a time. Advent teaches us that hope is not just a feeling; it is a gift. It is the assurance that God is present even in the waiting, even in the uncertainty, even in the seasons when life feels heavy. As I reflect on that single flame, I am reminded that many people carry silent struggles. Some wait for healing. Some long for peace. Some carry grief that is invisible to others. And yet, Advent tells us: God is coming. God is already near. God is already working. This hope is not fragile; it is steady, patient, and faithful. As I prepare for our Christmas Carol Service in the hospital, the meaning of Advent becomes even more real. The four candles, Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy — are not only symbols. They are gifts we are called to bring into the world. Hope For patients who feel afraid or alone, hope becomes a gentle reminder that God walks with them, even through illness, even in uncertainty. A quiet hymn, a warm presence, or a simple prayer can become a spark of hope. Peace In the hospital corridors, where days are long and worries are many, the message of peace is a breath of fresh air. Christ comes to calm the restless heart and bring comfort to the suffering. Love Christmas is the story of God drawing near to us. Emmanuel, God with us. In every small act of care, every smile, every moment of listening, we reflect His love to those who need it most. Joy Not loud or overwhelming, but the gentle joy that reminds us that life is still a gift. Even a short carol can lift the spirit of someone who hasn’t smiled in days. This is the joy that Advent invites us to share.