| December 17,2000 Zephania 3:14-18 + Philippians 4:4-7 + Luke 3:10-18 |
| Jeremiah, Baruch, Zephaniah, and Micah are our guides through the season of Advent. Jeremiah’s justice led us to Baruch’s mercy, and today Zephaniah leads us further into our reflective preparation for Christmas. He speaks to a faithful few who are emerging into their society after the reign of Manasseh – a king whose reign saw infant sacrifice, idols worship, and sacred prostitution introduced into the Temple. He and his worthless son are gone, and a young king, Josiah emerges with great promise and hope for a return to covenant fidelity with Yahweh. |
| For people living in our age and in this season, Zephaniah speaks words of support and encouragement. He speaks to people who have wondered where God is, who have a hard time being faithful to values, to a vision of the Kingdom not always too clear, and to a God who seems silent, absent, and distant. Some of our neighbors experience life heavily burdened and hopeless. This prophet, with bold words and strong talk reminds us that our pride causes wounds around us, that our greed is starving someone, that our lust is making use of someone else and deprives that person of freedom. |
| Obviously, some of our concerns are less global. No matter how we try to have a bigger vision of life, we’re rooted in Oklahoma, in our neighborhoods, and always our families. Sometimes we feel lost in our work, unable to find meaningful, satisfying work that allows us to serve others and just “make a difference.” Relationships go awry leaving us lonely and unsure if we can or ought to even try to love again. Mindless activity drains away precious energy, and television, the internet, shopping end up diminishing our lives rather than enhancing, and somehow, the last weeks of December always seem to make these feelings stronger for many |
| Yet, men and women grounded in God’s love are not looking for platitudes to sustain them in difficult times. They guard against self-pity and are sustained by the kind of faith, hope, love, and commitment that Zephania preaches. If Jeremiah is the prophet of Justice, Baruch is the Prophet of Mercy, then Zaphania will be our prophet of Joy as we follow their lead through this season. |
| The Advent he offers is a season of Joy – not necessarily “Happiness.” They’re not the same thing, as we know only too well. Happiness fades. The Christmas gifts get opened, enjoyed, and put away, and often with them goes the “Happiness.” Joy on the other hand is that spirit which sustains us and lifts us in the midst of unhappy times – that quality of life, that vision of creation which sees the loving hand of God in all things. It sustains us through loneliness, boredom, grief, and misery It brings a certain light to dark days and bleak times. It is a commitment to a future that is not yet here, but already can be seen in dawn of every beginning. It is that strength of character that holds us through heart break and steadies us when we realize that everything in life cannot be explained. |
| Justice, Mercy, and Joy Qualities of the Kingdom born among us. Qualities of the people grounded in love, born in the spirit, led by the light. Joy is the surest sign of God’s presence. It is the reflection in human form of the divine pleasure in all creation. It is the purest motive for human kindness. The Baptist too in the Gospel today points to joy when he suggests that acts of kindness ought not be random but intentional – and when they are, there will be joy |
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