A Visio Divina Reflection for Advent: Week Two | Peace

As you sit with The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, begin by slowing your breathing and letting the scene unfold before you. Notice the movement, the emotion, the contrasts of light and shadow. Where in the painting do you sense tension? Where do you sense calm? Return to the figure of Christ; His presence steady amid the chaos. Allow this image to mirror the storms in your own life. What fears rise within you? What does it mean for Jesus to be present in the midst of them? Invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate what God is speaking to your heart through this moment. End by resting in the peace that Christ extends, even when the waves still roar.

About the Artist

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669) is regarded as one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age, known for his profound ability to portray the depths of human emotion. A master of light and shadow, Rembrandt often used biblical narratives to explore the complexities of faith, suffering, and redemption. His work reveals a deep empathy for the human condition; capturing not idealized figures, but honest expressions of fear, doubt, tenderness, and hope. In The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt’s signature attention to humanity meets the transcendence of Christ’s presence, creating a powerful spiritual encounter on canvas.

About the Painting

Completed in 1633, Rembrandt’s The Storm on the Sea of Galilee is his only known seascape, yet it remains one of his most dramatic works. Depicting the Gospel story of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35–41), the painting captures the boat at its most perilous moment: waves crashing, the mast splintering, disciples clinging for life. Through masterful use of chiaroscuro, Rembrandt draws the viewer into the contrast between fear and faith, turmoil and divine presence. The scene feels alive, as if the wind might spill out of the canvas. It is a visual reminder of human vulnerability and the supernatural peace Christ brings.

Advent Peace: The stillness that holds us

Advent Peace is not a fragile calm dependent on circumstances; it is the steady, unwavering presence of Christ in the midst of upheaval. Rembrandt’s storm-tossed scene becomes a window into this truth: the disciples are terrified, the waves unrelenting, yet Peace Himself sits in the boat. His nearness does not remove the storm immediately, but it transforms the meaning of the moment. As we meditate on this painting during the second week of Advent, we remember that Christ’s peace meets us where we feel tossed, overwhelmed, or afraid. Just as Jesus speaks to the waters, He also speaks to our inner storms: “Peace, be still.” Advent invites us to trust that even when life feels unsteady, God is with us, and His peace is stronger than the winds that batter us.