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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Advent 3 Yr C
Introduction
Introduction
"O be joyful, all ye lands!" One of my favorite Sundays is "Joy" Sunday in advent. For me, my heart begins to dance—I feel rhythm in my shoulders, my feet tap, even my toes wiggle. We feel joy in so many ways, but none moreso than in giving of ourselves—helping someone who needs our help, holding someone who is feeling low, being present while someone grieves. Beloved, this is The Way of Love, as proposed by Presiding Bishop Curry. I strongly encourage you to walk The Way of Love (check our page on Facebook for daily entries for Advent). It is a truly good feeling. Comments welcome.
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you,
he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall fear disaster no more.
From sermon4kids.com: “"If you have two coats, give one of them to the one who has none. If you have food, share it with those who have none." This message is for us, too. If we want to experience the real joy that Jesus wants for us, then we must learn to share. By sharing what God has so generously given to us, we will receive an even greater gift—the gift of joy.”
Scripture: December 12, 2021—Third Sunday of Advent—Zephaniah 3:14-20 (image); First song of Isaiah (image); Philippians 4:4-7 (image); Luke 3:7-18 (image).
Collect: Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Reflection: John 1:6–8, 19–28 reminds us that we are not the light, but with John we are called to testify as witnesses to the light, who is Jesus Christ. The verb “to bear witness” occurs thirty-three times in the Fourth Gospel! How can you bear witness, in this season of lights, to the true Light who has come into the world?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C, Volume 1 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
A video/audio journey through the scripture.
Images enhancing
the scripture
“Interpreting Isaiah 61” by N Hawthorne
“Isaiah sixty one verse one” by Nancy Cupp
“Isaiah 61:3” by Tim R Botts
“2 Bodies of Light” by Martin Cabello III, 2022
Music founded
in the scripture
“This is the record of John” by Orlando Gibbons
“As the dark awaits the dawn“, Schalk and Cherwien
“Wake, Awake and sleep no longer“, hymn
Other voices
about the scripture
If I were alone in the desert and feeling afraid,
I would want a child to be with me.
For then my fear would disappear and I would be made strong.
This is what life in itself can do because it is so noble, so full of pleasure and so powerful.
But if I could not have a child with me,
I would like to have at least a living animal at my side to comfort me.
Therefore,
let those who bring about wonderful things in their big, dark books take an animal—perhaps a dog—to help them.
The life within the animal will give strength in turn.
For equality gives strength in all things and at all times.
© Meister Eckhart
“Those mourning in Zion would possess new symbols of their status replacing the old symbols: flower garlands rather than ashes, oil to soothe the skin rather than mourning, mantles to wear rather than a fainting spirit. The consequences for those blessed would be a new status: they would be a new planting for a new day. In turn, the new status would bring a new task—the rebuilding of the cities and the restoration of the ruins to remove the results of years of devastation.”
© John Hayes
“Surprised by joy” by Steven Goodier
For the third candle
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God.
We give thanks to you, O God, for the promise of full joy that this season brings to light.
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God.
For all the troubles life can bring, you bring amazing possibilities that fill our hearts with joy.
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God.
Renew in us this day the promises of light after darkness, day after night, hope after despair, joy in this and every morning, for our trust is in you. Amen.
Movies representing some part of the scripture
“12 Years a slave” (2013, R), brutal imagery, Review
“Chariots of Fire” (1981, PG), 2 champions at 1924 Olympics, “ultimate allegiance”, choosing between God & coiuntry, Review
“Music of the Heart” (1999, PG), “. . . at the end of her rope after she is deserted . . .”, “When has your face lit up?”, a tender movie that shows we can be strong even when we cannot stand, “standing tall is more than standing on your legs”, Review 1, Review 2
For families: Study guide and activities (another guide), group activity, snacks—prepare bag of treats, share with another, kid video
Coloring for all ages: Joy, Isaiah 35, Gaudete, candle of joy
For children: See family guide/activities (another activity), craft; bulletin
For middlers: See family guide/activities (another activity), craft; bulletin
For youth: Here are some symbols of Advent: Jesse tree, Advent calendar, Advent wreath, color saran blue. Do you know the origins of each or what they mean? Comments welcome.
In our readings and in the Collect for today, the major themes of biblical, prophetic religion come together, deepening the preparation of God’s faithful people for the approaching Christmas festival. We pray that God will “stir up his power and come among us” and we are given the paradoxical message of fearful judgment and joyful anticipation.
This message is given first in Zephaniah’s announcement of “the Day of the Lord” when God will come to draw all people into a saving and life-giving community. “The Lord, your God, is in your midst.” “Sing aloud . . . Rejoice . . . Exult.”
For Paul and the church in Philippi, the Lord has indeed come in Jesus’ death and resurrection. “Rejoice,” Paul says, and be partakers in the peace of God, which is our true guardian and protector.
But first, we hear the harsh words from John the Baptist, warning that we must be prepared for that coming if it is indeed to be a time of rejoicing. Repentance is the key to that preparation. However, repentance must be more than a feeling, and it must be deeper than outward rituals such as water baptism, or tracing one’s descent from Abraham. That repentance must bear fruit in social righteousness—in self-giving and concrete actions of love and mercy toward others.
The Lord is in the midst of us, and so we sing out joyful Alleluias as he comes to us in his Word, and again as he comes to us in the breaking of the bread.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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