Advent 3—December 12, 2021
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Do Not Fear
Thought For Today: “Do not fear… (but)… rejoice with gladness.” Zephaniah 3:16-17 (NRSV)
If we had the ability to know the future, would we want to get up in the morning! When we face daily trials and survive to live another day, knowing what may happen to us tomorrow can be downright daunting! Zephaniah reassures God’s people that while they are presently oppressed, God will exalt the lowly revealing the caring character of God.
When we live in a world with more troubling news than good news, we lament over both personal and global disasters. We are fearful of the future. Just as the angel told Mary to not be afraid because God has found favor in her, God finds favor in you too!
Many of us may be using an Advent calendar right now to anticipate the Birth of Jesus. Every day, you open one day to read a Scripture and what I like the most is the ones that contain a piece of chocolate! As Christians, we know what the future is—God’s promise of love and peace in the Christ.
Prayer: Merciful God, thank you for the promise of life rejoicing with gladness because Jesus Christ is coming into the world. Amen.
Donald Ng, Sausalito, CA