THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Cry Out With Joy and Gladness

Brothers and sisters in Christ, citizens of the New Jerusalem: today’s readings are powerful! Let’s go back to the beginning: the world turned away from God in Original Sin, declined eternal life, and denied God as our Father. This decision denied themselves and humanity eternal life -- for all time! So to hear the prophet Zephaniah proclaiming to shout for joy must have been a welcomed message, indeed:

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!

Sing joyfully, O Israel!

Be glad and exult with all your heart,

O daughter Jerusalem!

But wait! There was no king, no Lord for them; that was but a prophecy:

On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:

Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!

There would be exultation on that day, but salvation would come not with the prophecy but with the Lord. As Luke describes it (2:10–11):

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today, in the city of David, a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.”

That day, my friends, has come! In our Bibles, we often read of this joy, particularly in the New Testament, but we mistakenly read it as outsiders. Let’s read these as fulfilled prophecies and feel the joy of salvation: “Shout for joy, O son Andy!/Sing joyfully, St. Matthew Parish!… a savior has been born for you.”

Through our baptism, we have thankfully become the adopted sons of God and have eternal life with Him! This joy of salvation is the basis of Paul’s guidance to the Philippines: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!”

When the Jews celebrate Passover every year, it is not just the memory of their people's salvation that they celebrate. Through the celebration, they re-participate and re-member themselves in the angel’s saving act. Similarly, this is our moment to rejoice in not only being saved but also to be joyful in anticipation of the birth of our savior. Double rejoice!

Now, we are brimming with joy at our salvation. “But what should we do”? Share the joy of your salvation! Who will hear it?

–Andy Jewell

Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.