Let There Be Joy! -- An Advent Lectionary Reflection
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18
Let There Be Joy!
Although, there’s somberness attached
to Advent, and it traditionally carries a penitential flavor, but that’s not
the whole story. Yes, it’s true that John
has been called to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus’ ministry by calling
on the people to repent and to change the way they’re living. Advent, however, isn’t Lent. It may have that somber feel, especially in
the hymns, which may be one reason why congregations prefer the carols to the
Advent hymns, but Advent also exudes expectation and hope. On the third Sunday of this brief season we
light the candle of joy, and it’s appropriate to sing a hymn like Joy to the
World, even if Christmas hasn’t yet arrived.
As we looking forward in anticipation, we can call out the words: “Let there be Joy!” Or, to pick up on Paul’s words: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say
rejoice!”
There are calls for repentance to be
found within our texts for the week, but they also speak of joy and expectation. A new day is coming when God will reign. So lift up your hearts, rejoice and be
glad. But as you prepare for that
moment, prepare yourself for the anticipated event. Clean up – or better yet, let God clean you
up. There’s need for baptism – both the
water that cleanses and the Holy Spirit and refining fire. Yes, there is hope for tomorrow, and with
that hope comes joy.
The prophet Zephaniah calls out to
us from the midst of the exile, inviting us to rejoice and give thanks to God
with all of our hearts. In context, the
message is that the time of judgment is over and a new future is present for
Israel. They may have experienced the
suffering of the exile, but a new day dawns, and they needn’t feel alone,
because God is in their midst. Not only
that, but God is at work rectifying unjust situations. God is like a warrior king – it’s an image
that many of us might find uncomfortable, but in context it’s
understandable. The people are
experiencing marginalization. They’re
exiles and outcastes. Their homeland has
been devoured and occupied. What will
change the situation? Who will turn
things around? Into the situation rides
the warrior king, who defeats the enemy and restores the land to its proper
owners. For the recipients of this word,
the good news is that God will set aside the oppressors and deliver those who
are lame, who are outcasts, and God will “change their shame into praise and
fame throughout the earth” (vs. 19). God
is about to regather the folks so that they might dwell in peace and in hope,
and the world will know that God is at work.
This is a word that will fill the people with hope and expectation. And as we prepare for the coming of the
Lord’s Christ, the one who reveals God’s reality to us, we can wait with
expectation. And so there is great and
exceeding joy in our midst.
A second word of joy is found in
this brief passage from Paul’s Philippian letter. Whereas Zephaniah writes to the exiles,
offering them the promise of deliverance, Paul writes from a jail cell. We don’t know where he resides, but his
freedom to move about is severely restricted.
But in spite of his situation Paul finds joy in the Lord. The reading from the Common English Bible begins:
“Be glad in the Lord always!
Again I say be glad.” I know that
this translation carries the meaning of the verse, but it’s not nearly as
melodic as the more traditional –“Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I say rejoice!” How do we manage this – whether we use the
words be glad or rejoice, how do we find continuous and unrelenting joy present
in our lives? Look around, how many
people can say that they find reason in life to be glad? How many smiling faces do you see? When I look out into the community, even the
church community, I see a lot of anger and a lot of pain. I see anxiety and fear. Just this week there’s been another seemingly
random shooting in a public space. We
see people are stocking up on weapons to “protect themselves,” though from whom
they seek protection we’re not told. Immigrants
and migrants are cast aside out of fear that they might “take our jobs.” People
are anxious about tomorrow.
Into this mix comes Paul, who offers
a different word, one of joy and hope.
In place of anxiety he offers expectation. He invites us to live prayerfully, offering
our requests to God rather than living with fear and anxiety. Perhaps this is required if we’re to let our
“gentleness show in [our] treatment of all people.” The life of hope that is rooted in prayer is
focused on the promise that God is near.
We could take this eschatologically and look for Christ’s quick return in
person, or with Zephaniah live in the knowledge that God is our midst –
already. When we do this, when we live
with the understanding that God is with us (Emmanuel), then we will live with a
sense of peace that surpasses all understanding, so that our “hearts and minds
will be kept safe in Christ Jesus.” With
a promise like this, then we can live expectantly and with joy!
There is some of the penitential in
Luke’s gospel reading. John is at work
down at the Jordan – preaching and baptizing.
John has choice words for the gathering crowd. Although the Common English Bible has the
sufficiently descriptive “You children of snakes,” nothing carries the meaning
of John’s message better than the NRSV’s “You brood of vipers.” This rendering makes it clear that he’s not
referring to harmless garter snakes, but poisonous vipers. He tells them to change their lives and their
hearts – produce fruit to accompany your words of repentance. Mouthing confessions isn’t sufficient. You have to actually change your life –
because God is coming and God will take an axe to the roots. You can call yourself children of Abraham,
all you want, but God can raise up children from the stones. So make sure your words of repentance are
real. I expect that there were those who
came to watch the show and walked away in disgust at this self-proclaimed
prophet of God who insulted the people with his claims that they’re
vipers. But many turned and asked for
help.
What then should we do in response to John’s call for
repentance? John answers in a way that
would make Jesus proud. If you have two
shirts, give one away. If you have food,
then share it with those who are hungry.
The tax collectors asked what they should do, and he told them not to
collect any more than authorized (and remember their “pay” came from skimming
off the top, so what does this mean? How
can a tax collector make an honest wage?).
There are even soldiers who come to him, asking what they need to
do. Are these Roman soldiers? Or Herod’s?
John tells them – don’t cheat or harass the people, don’t exert your
power in destructive ways. Keep the
peace, but don’t bully the people.
These are hard words to hear, but the people seem ready for them. But are we?
For those who heard this message,
Luke suggests that they were “filled with expectation.” They were ready. They weren’t sure whether John was the
Christ, but they were ready to go. Lead
on, they were saying. If God is ready,
then so are we. John has to temper their
enthusiasm – but only for a moment. I’m
not the one, he says, but the one you’re looking for is nearby. He’s coming – so be ready. I baptize you with water to prepare you for
that day, but he will come baptizing with fire and the Holy Spirit. I
think we understand the idea of the Holy Spirit – the indwelling of God in our
midst, but what of the fire? What is
this about? The image of fire has
various nuances, but here it seems to be a word of judgment. The one who is coming after John will
separate the wheat from the chaff. That
which is useful – fruit – will be stored in the barn. That which is useless – the chaff – will be
thrown into the fire. Yes, there is expectation,
but also some introspection. Where is
the fruit? And with this, John continued
to preach the good news – and so may we.
Let there be joy!
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