TEXTS FOR Third Sunday Of Advent
December 13, 2009
Zephaniah 3:14-20 * Isaiah 12:2-6 * Philippians 4:4-7 * Luke 3:7-18
It’s hard to believe that it’s already the Third Sunday of Advent. It seems like we just celebrated thanksgiving. None the less, here we are. The traditional theme for the Third Sunday of Advent is joy. This Sunday we light the rose-colored candle, which symbolizes joy.
What do we have to be joyful about during the season of Advent? The coming Christ gives us reason for that joy. Listen to the optimism in the writings of the prophets:
14 Sing, O daughter of Zion;
shout aloud, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 For the Lord will remove his hand of judgment
and will disperse the armies of your enemy.
And the Lord himself, the King of Israel,
will live among you!
At last your troubles will be over,
and you will never again fear disaster.
16 On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be,
“Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid!
17 For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
18 “I will gather you who mourn for the appointed festivals;
you will be disgraced no more.
19 And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you.
I will save the weak and helpless ones;
I will bring together
those who were chased away.
I will give glory and fame to my former exiles,
wherever they have been mocked and shamed.
20 On that day I will gather you together
and bring you home again.
I will give you a good name, a name of distinction,
among all the nations of the earth,
as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes.
I, the Lord, have spoken!”
The people of Israel were feeling discouraged. Perhaps some were wondering if the Merry-Go-Round would ever stop. Could there ever be an answer to the sin problem? Not only does this passage refer to Christ’s first advent, but we are given a glimpse of the future glory when Christ finally returns for all his people. I love verse 17, “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” The coming of the Christ is the answer to the sin problem for the people of Israel — the coming of the Christ is the answer to the sin problem for the whole world. This is cause for great joy for those who have place their trust in Him. The Lord is coming — the Lord is mighty to save!
