Lectionary Reflections
Advent Week 3
Rejoicing and Repentance: The Tension of Advent Joy
The third week of Advent, marked by the lighting of the Gaudete candle, beckons us to joy. The lectionary texts for this week—Zephaniah 3:14-20, Isaiah 12:2-6, Philippians 4:4-7, and Luke 3:7-18—create a rich tapestry of themes that unite joy and repentance, expectation and preparation. These passages challenge us to embrace the paradox of Advent: that rejoicing is found not in denial of the world’s brokenness but in the assurance of God’s transformative work in the midst of it.
As we journey through these texts, we find a unifying call to action. Joy is not a passive emotion but an active posture of hope. It requires repentance, gratitude, and trust in God’s promises. Together, these readings invite us to explore how the joy of God’s salvation compels us to prepare the way for God’s justice and peace.
Zephaniah 3:14-20: Rejoice, God Is in Your Midst
Zephaniah’s prophecy concludes with a triumphant call to joy: “Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel!” This is striking because earlier in the book, Zephaniah paints a grim picture of judgment. Yet here, the tone shifts dramatically. God has removed judgments against the people, defeated their enemies, and now dwells in their midst. The joy described is not mere optimism but the fruit of God’s saving action.
The key phrase, “The Lord, your God, is in your midst,” reveals the foundation of this joy. It is God’s presence—not the absence of struggle—that enables the people to sing and rejoice. God promises restoration: gathering the outcast, healing the afflicted, and replacing shame with praise. This vision invites us to reflect on the transformative power of God’s presence in our lives and communities.
For preachers, this text offers a profound message of hope for those feeling burdened by life’s hardships. The promise of God’s presence reminds us that joy is not escapism but a declaration that God’s work of renewal is already underway.
Isaiah 12:2-6: Draw Water from the Wells of Salvation
Isaiah’s song of salvation echoes the theme of rejoicing, proclaiming God as the source of strength and deliverance. The image of drawing water from the wells of salvation is particularly rich, evoking the sustenance and renewal God provides. In a dry and weary land, the promise of living water symbolizes life and abundance.
This passage is liturgical in tone, inviting the community to give thanks, proclaim God’s deeds, and shout for joy. The universality of the call—“Make known God’s deeds among the nations”—connects individual gratitude to communal witness. Joy, here, becomes contagious; it spills over from personal experience into public proclamation.
Preachers can draw on this text to highlight the connection between joy and testimony. When we rejoice in God’s salvation, our lives become a witness to God’s goodness. This Advent, how might we bear witness to the living water God offers in a world parched by despair?
Philippians 4:4-7: Rejoice Always, and Be at Peace
Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians is a familiar Advent refrain: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Yet this call to joy is not naïve. Paul writes from prison, underscoring that joy is not contingent on circumstances but rooted in the nearness of God. “The Lord is near,” he declares, offering the assurance that God’s presence brings both peace and hope.
Paul connects joy with gentleness, gratitude, and prayer. These practices orient believers toward God’s peace, which “surpasses all understanding.” This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of God’s wholeness, guarding hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
For congregations navigating anxiety or uncertainty, this passage offers a powerful reminder that joy and peace are gifts of God’s grace. Preachers might explore how gratitude and prayer create space for these gifts, cultivating a posture of trust in God’s abiding care.
Luke 3:7-18: Bear Fruits Worthy of Repentance
In sharp contrast to the other readings, Luke 3 confronts us with John the Baptist’s fiery message of repentance. Addressing the crowds, John warns against complacency: “Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor.’” Heritage alone will not save them; they must bear fruits worthy of repentance.
Yet even in John’s stern words, there is an undercurrent of hope. His call to repentance is grounded in the promise that one greater than he is coming—one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Repentance, then, is not an end in itself but preparation for the transformative work of Christ.
John’s instructions are strikingly practical: share with those in need, practice honesty, and reject exploitation. These commands reveal that repentance is not merely about individual morality but about embodying God’s justice in relationships and systems. Preachers can challenge congregations to consider how their actions reflect the values of God’s kingdom, linking repentance to the active pursuit of justice and compassion.
The Common Thread: Rejoicing in God’s Transformative Work
The tension between joy and repentance runs through these texts, revealing that true rejoicing arises from participation in God’s redemptive work. Zephaniah and Isaiah proclaim the joy of God’s presence and salvation, while Paul invites us to cultivate joy through prayer and gratitude. John the Baptist, however, reminds us that this joy is not cheap; it demands a response.
Together, these texts challenge us to hold joy and repentance in balance. Advent joy is not a passive celebration but an active alignment with God’s purposes. It calls us to prepare the way for Christ, both in our hearts and in the world, by bearing fruits worthy of repentance. This means living out God’s justice, extending compassion, and proclaiming the good news of God’s salvation.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded that the source of our joy is not our own efforts but God’s faithful presence. The Lord is near. God is in our midst. And because of this, we can rejoice, even as we are called to the hard work of repentance and preparation.
Conclusion
The third Sunday of Advent invites us into the paradox of rejoicing and repentance. These lectionary texts offer a vision of joy rooted in God’s presence, a joy that empowers us to prepare the way for Christ through lives of justice and compassion. As we await the coming of Christ, may we embrace the tension of Advent, rejoicing in the assurance of God’s salvation and responding with hearts and lives transformed by grace.
Opening Prayer
God of joy and justice,
You dwell in our midst and call us to rejoice in your salvation.
As we gather in this Advent season, open our hearts to your presence.
May our joy overflow into lives of gratitude and service,
and may we bear fruits worthy of repentance,
preparing the way for the coming of Christ. Amen.
Prayer Before Scripture
Loving God,
As we open your Word, may we hear your call to rejoice and repent.
Let your Spirit illuminate these ancient texts,
so that we might be shaped by their truth
and empowered to live as witnesses to your justice and joy.
Through Jesus Christ, your living Word, we pray. Amen.
Benediction
Go now, rejoicing in the Lord always.
Let your gentleness be known,
your prayers offered with thanksgiving,
and your lives bear fruits of repentance.
And may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.