Zephaniah 3:17-20

“The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.” vss. 17-18a

While this verse contains a description of God that seems foreign to our ears, it’s fascinating to see how Zephaniah, a 7th century B.C.E prophet, conveyed his sense of the Divine Presence to his readers. He’s pretty much right on in what he has to say. God wasn’t a far distant deity but lived right in the midst of the people, a constant Presence who continually rejoiced over them with gladness and who sustained them with constant love. Zephaniah even imagines God singing praises to the people. That’s a fun image of God, one that doesn’t come up very often. There are pictures floating around the internet of a laughing Jesus, but it’s hard to even imagine a singing God. What would that be like? Is such talk even appropriate? Well, maybe not, but wouldn’t it be nice if God took delight in those times when we behave decently and act justly? If on some random day our hours were so full of smiles, hugs, and loving words that God just burst into song? It’s good to imagine God thinking well of us–especially since we so often believe God is angry. Maybe this year God will show up on Christmas Eve with a “Ho, ho, ho,” instead of Santa. That would really be nice! 

Thought for the Day: What song is God singing to me?

Zephaniah 3:14-16

“Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!” vs. 14

It’s likely that Zephaniah was active as a prophet during the reforms of Josiah, one of the few strong and moral kings of Judah. He began his ministry by calling for an end to corruption within the priestly hierarchy and was evidently thrilled when leaders paid attention to him. As far as he was concerned the reformation was an occasion for rejoicing and exultation. Those times do come for the people of God. Our story is mixed, and while we are certainly aware of the moments when everything is going bad, there are also times for singing and praise. The Advent season provides those opportunities for people of faith. Every week there are concerts and programs celebrating all that God has done to bring healing and restoration to our broken world. Our musicians do a wonderful job in setting the mood of the holiday, and worship leaders love to fill sanctuaries with the sound of music and even shouts of joy. As we anticipate the delights of the Christmas holiday, our Advent singing and celebrating is an acknowledgment of Christ’s presence in the world. So let’s pick out concerts that spark our joy and participate fully, not only listening to the beautiful songs from the choir, but singing our own hearts out in joyous thanksgiving.

Thought for the Day: What’s my favorite Christmas concert?

Luke 3:4-6

“as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”’” vs. 4

While Isaiah was imagining a highway stretching from Babylon to Judah on which the Israelites could travel from captivity to freedom, Luke uses the same words with slight modifications to describe the mission of John the Baptizer. While in John’s lifetime he was much better known than Jesus, after his death he began to be known as the one who had prepared the way for Jesus. Indeed, that’s exactly what took place. Many of John’s disciples became followers of Jesus, convinced that Jesus, and not John, was the Messiah sent from God. In Advent we celebrate John’s mission, and remember that a part of our discipleship is to prepare the way for Jesus to enter the hearts of those seeking salvation. There’s probably no greater joy for any of us than to be the means by which others come to know Christ. We naturally have that role as parents–it’s a promise we make to our children when they are baptized. But sometimes we have opportunities to provide invitation and direction to seekers. What a blessing it is to be that kind of influencer! We don’t have to do the preaching and the baptizing. There are plenty of others who can do that. But when we can point the way for a lost and lonely soul, everyone goes home a winner!

Thought for the Day: What kind of influencer am I?

Luke 3:1-3

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius…the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins…vss. 1a, 2b-3

Luke traces John’s ministry to a precise time and place in history. Even though we would love to know a bit more of John’s background, that is not provided. Based on his message and location some have linked him to the Essene community at Qumran, close to where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. If that was the case, he would have been very familiar with water baptisms, a concern for purity, and the message of repentance. John did not remain within the community walls however, but traveled about the whole region, exposing brokenness, and pointing the way to new life. He must have been a powerful preacher, because thousands traveled all the way to the Jordan from as far away as Jerusalem and Galilee to hear him speak, confess their sins, and submit to a baptism of repentance. Many believed that he was the long-awaited messiah! His followers represented a significant force in the political arena of the day, and even King Herod took notice of him. The call to repentance is a powerful one, and even today people take note when they are confronted with the need to change. We hear that call echoing through the days of Advent, and many wonder if they too need to repent as life continues.

Thought for the Day: What am I being called to change?

Philippians 1:7-11

“And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that on the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless…” vss. 9-10

People of faith generally have disdain for “self-improvement” books. They understand that such materials claim that we have within ourselves the capacity to correct deficiencies and eliminate addictions. All we need to do, as one author puts it, is “think and grow rich.” But disciples have come to believe that the power to change comes through a Higher Power, and is closely related to repentance. Paul told the Philippians that change was intimately connected to love, a love that came from God and that was spread within the community of faith. And he also told them that as they continued loving and as they sought knowledge and insight, they would become the people they had been created to be. It’s strange how that great truth can escape our attention in the course of our long lives! We become content with who we are, and some don’t even have any interest in repenting or changing. They bask in grace and remain the same year after year. What a pity! We have not been called to stay the same, and become content with our brokenness. In Christ the Spirit is always urging us to seek purity and holiness through repentance and change. And when that happens our love will overflow!

Thought for the Day: How have I been changing over my lifetime?

Philippians 1:3-7

“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.” vss. 3-5

Because many of us have been a part of a faith community since infancy, we often don’t realize what a blessing such a membership brings. Paul had come out of a tight-knit Jewish background but when he began his Spirit-directed journey into Gentile lands, he realized anew the joy that comes from being a part of a praying community. And this community was different from any he’d ever known. Rather than being based on law and rituals, these Philippians were his brothers and sisters because of their sharing in the gospel. We know what Paul was feeling. Sometimes life can seem routine and we follow established patterns in daily living, but then something happens, perhaps a crisis or calamity, the community gets the word, and people begin to pray. And like Paul we are lifted up by prayer and sustained by the power of love. In this individualistic, every-person-for-themselves world, where we’re expected by our culture to take care of ourselves, community is the greatest gift the church has to offer. Humans have known from the beginning that being lonely is not good. We’re communal creatures, and when we are surrounded by love and kindness we are at our best. 

Thought for the Day: How has community lifted me in a time of need?

Luke 1:76-79

“By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’” vss. 78-79

Waiting is one of the central themes of Advent, and it’s what most people are doing right now. We’re waiting to see what happens next. Some have a sense of optimism. They think that the future is bright for America and that very soon greatness will be restored. Others are more pessimistic and have deep fears about coming calamities. But none are in control–all we can do is watch and wait. People of faith are neither optimists or pessimists, but they are hopeful. Like Zechariah they trust that the God of tender mercies is in control, and that a new day will break upon us, and that the light from on high will guide us in the way of peace. No matter how dark and foreboding it may seem, such believers know that the sun will rise again, and there will be a new day. That kind of trust is a rich and beautiful gift as we wait, and it allows us to greet each new day with joy and anticipation. We will expect to see glimpses of the Divine Presence as life unfolds around us. Perhaps a baby will be born, a couple will marry, or we’ll get a smile or a hug from a friend…and in those precious moments the darkness disappears. 

Thought for the Day: How will I find delight in this day?

Luke 1:68-75

“He has raised up a mighty saviour for us in the house of his servant David… that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.” vss. 69, 71

Zechariah’s song of praise, as recounted by Luke, reflects the conviction of early disciples that the ministry of John the Baptizer was no accident of history, but was indicative of God’s continued care for the descendants of Abraham. The Jews had had some rough years. They’d been rounded up and deported, somehow survived and returned, and then were roughed up again by the Greeks and Romans. But through it all their prophets had urged them to keep on hoping, and that one day a saviour would come, and they would be rescued again. Well, that Savior did come and in him countless millions of people have found their salvation. But somehow there’s still a sense of uneasiness, as though all the good things that have happened could be snatched away. Some even worry that the days of deportation could return. Luke would understand our concerns. He too lived in a time of great turmoil and distress–but he also knew that the God of our ancestors will never desert us. We too have sons and daughters who will spark change in our world and who will work to restore its brokenness. And they won’t have to invent anything new–our Savior continues to be present–and in him our children will be the hope of the world.

Thought for the Day: How are our children bringing healing?

Malachi 3:1-4

“But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap…” vs. 2 

True prophets, and Malachi was certainly one of them, have always had the sense that this good world is broken, and that something needed to happen to restore its goodness. For Malachi that something was nothing less than the coming of the Lord into the world. He believed that there would be a Messenger sent to prepare the way for that coming and that people would do well to pay attention. We’re familiar with that sort of prophetic talk. In some congregations such warnings are a regular part of nearly every sermon. One day soon the Lord is coming, and when the Lord comes there’s going to be a house-cleaning. Now that’s obviously a message that comes from scripture, but it’s often presented in a way that strikes fear in our hearts, rather than hope. For most ears it’s a word of law and condemnation, and we picture the Lord riding into town on a horse, guns blazing, and doing away with evil-doers. But what if the coming of the Lord is a grace moment, a time in which our sins are washed away and we are given a deep cleansing? That’s much more in line with the Jesus of the gospels and his message of restoration. And that’s a word of grace we can rally around through the whole of Advent.

Thought for the Day: How would I describe my cleansing?

Luke 21:34-36

“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap.” vss. 34-35a

When the future is uncertain and we can’t be sure how world events are going to play out, feelings of fear are not unusual, and we can begin to wonder how our families are going to be affected. In those situations temptations abound and some people look for ways to dull anxiety and free their minds from worry. And of course the culture provides a myriad of distractions and a multitude of addictions. Jesus told his disciples to be on guard against those mind-numbing alternatives lest they miss the coming peaceable kingdom. We can easily apply his words to our day and say that he’s advising us to be mindful and not mindless as we move into our uncertain future. Advent is a good time to practice that kind of living as we count the days until Christmas. Instead of focusing on the terrors that seem to be on the way, perhaps it would be more beneficial to look for signs of the kingdom popping up in our congregations and neighborhoods. Since Christ is in our world we should expect to see signs of his presence every single day. We don’t have to follow the world into the deadends and rabbit holes of the internet. Love and joy are in our world to stay and, just when we’re losing hope, they come to pay us a visit!

Thought for the Day: Where do I look for consolation and peace?