The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Saturday, December 23, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Saturday, December 23, 2023

Dawn of Divine Joy:

Embracing the Light of Advent

Psalm 96; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Romans 13:11-14
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Days around Christmas)

Introduction

As we gather on this serene Saturday, the threshold of Christmas approaches, bringing with it a promise of renewal and divine joy. Today, we delve into the profound and uplifting messages of Psalm 96, Zephaniah 3:14-20, and Romans 13:11-14. Psalm 96 calls us to rejoice in the Lord's majesty and righteousness, resonating with the jubilant spirit of the coming Christ. Zephaniah 3:14-20 offers a vision of redemption and celebration, echoing the liberating joy of Christmas. Meanwhile, Romans 13:11-14 awakens us to the urgency of salvation, urging us to embrace the light of Christ and cast aside the darkness. Together, these scriptures guide us in a reflective journey towards the birth of Jesus, encouraging us to prepare our hearts for the transformative joy of Christmas.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 96
Joyous Anticipation: Embracing the Spirit

As the crisp winter air fills with the jingle of bells and the aroma of pine, we find ourselves on a special Saturday—the one just before Christmas. This day stands as a unique moment, a pause before the grand celebration, where anticipation and joy intermingle. It's a time to reflect, to embrace the warmth of family and friends, and to prepare our hearts for the wonder of Christmas. In this serene prelude to the holiday, we are invited to slow down, savor the present, and look forward with hopeful hearts to the joy and peace that Christmas promises.

1    Sing to the Lord a new song; *
        sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2    Sing to the Lord, praise his name; *
        proclaim his salvation day after day.

3    Declare his glory among the nations, *
        his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

4    For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; *
        he is to be feared above all gods.

5    For all the gods of the nations are idols, *
        but the Lord made the heavens.

6    Splendor and majesty are before him; *
        strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

7    Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, *
        ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

8    Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; *
        bring an offering and come into his courts.

9    Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; *
        tremble before him, all the earth.

10  Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
            The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; *
        he will judge the peoples with equity.

11  Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; *
        let the sea resound, and all that is in it.

12  Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; *
        let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

13  Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
            he comes to judge the earth. *
        He will judge the world in righteousness
            and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Heavenly Father, as we gather on this serene Saturday, our hearts are filled with joy and anticipation for the coming of Christmas. We turn to Psalm 96, a song of praise for Your great glory and marvelous works.

"Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples."

Lord, we rejoice in Your steadfast love and faithfulness. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior, let our hearts sing a new song of gratitude and praise. May we proclaim Your salvation and share the good news of Your love with those around us. Help us to see the beauty and wonder of Your creation, and to recognize Your hand in every joyful moment and every peaceful encounter.

As we draw closer to Christmas, fill our homes with Your presence. Let love, peace, and joy reign in our hearts, and may we be a reflection of Your light in this world. Guide us in Your ways, and help us to spread Your love and joy to everyone we meet.

Be with us today and every day in Jesus Christ, Who taught us to pray:

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Zephaniah 3:14-20
Joyful Anticipation: Embracing the Promise

As the Saturday before Christmas dawns, a sense of joyful anticipation fills the air. This day holds a special significance as we reflect on the profound promises of God, especially as revealed in Zephaniah 3:14-20. This passage, resonating with hope and redemption, is a vivid reminder of God's steadfast love and mercy. It speaks directly to our hearts, preparing us for the celebration of the birth of Christ, and reminding us of the ultimate deliverance and restoration promised to us. As we delve into these verses, let us embrace the fullness of joy and salvation that God offers, reflecting on the deep implications of this prophecy in the light of the Advent season.

3 14 Sing, Daughter Zion;
        shout aloud, Israel!
    Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
        Daughter Jerusalem!
15  The Lord has taken away your punishment,
        he has turned back your enemy.
    The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;
        never again will you fear any harm.
16  On that day
        they will say to Jerusalem,
    “Do not fear, Zion;
        do not let your hands hang limp.
17  The Lord your God is with you,
        the Mighty Warrior who saves.
    He will take great delight in you;
        in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
        but will rejoice over you with singing.”

18  “I will remove from you
        all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals,
        which is a burden and reproach for you.
19  At that time I will deal
        with all who oppressed you.
    I will rescue the lame;
        I will gather the exiles.
    I will give them praise and honor
        in every land where they have suffered shame.
20  At that time I will gather you;
        at that time I will bring you home.
    I will give you honor and praise
        among all the peoples of the earth
    when I restore your fortunes
        before your very eyes,”
    says the Lord.

Commentary

Zephaniah 3:14-20, set in the context of Israel's restoration, is a powerful testament to God's unfailing love and promise of salvation. The passage begins with a call to rejoice and sing, a theme fitting for the Advent season as it echoes the joyous anticipation of Christ's birth. The prophet Zephaniah assures Israel that God has taken away their punishment and turned back their enemy, symbolizing the removal of sin and the defeat of death through Jesus Christ.

Verse 15 emphasizes that the Lord is with His people, a reassurance that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the incarnation of Jesus, Emmanuel—God with us. This presence of God among His people is a source of unending joy and security, as the fear of harm is removed.

The passage further speaks of a gathering of those who have been scattered, which can be seen as a foreshadowing of the gathering of believers from all nations in Christ. This inclusive aspect of God's salvation plan highlights the universal scope of His grace and mercy.

In verses 18-20, there's a transition from past troubles to a future filled with hope and restoration. God promises to deal with all oppressions and restore fortunes, painting a picture of the Messianic kingdom where justice, peace, and joy reign supreme. This eschatological vision aligns with the advent theme of looking forward to Christ's second coming when all promises will be fully realized.

As we approach Christmas, Zephaniah 3:14-20 invites us to rejoice in the Lord's great love and faithfulness. It reminds us that the joy of Christmas is not just in celebrating a historical event, but in recognizing the ongoing work of God in bringing about redemption and restoration to a broken world. This passage, therefore, becomes a beacon of hope, urging us to look beyond the present to the glorious future God has promised through Jesus Christ.

Romans 13:11-14
Awakening to Hope

As the world bustles with the festive spirit of the season, the Saturday before Christmas invites us to pause and reflect on the deeper significance of Advent. This day offers a quiet moment of introspection amidst the holiday rush, beckoning us to consider the transformative message of Romans 13:11-14. In these verses, the Apostle Paul calls for an awakening from slumber, urging believers to embrace the light of Christ in a world often shrouded in darkness. This passage is particularly resonant during Advent, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth.

13 11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Commentary

Verse 11 — The Urgency of Salvation: Paul emphasizes the urgency of embracing salvation, reminding readers that the time of Christ's return is nearer than when they first believed. This verse serves as a wake-up call, challenging Christians to be mindful of the fleeting nature of time and the immediacy of God's call.

Verse 12 — Casting Off Darkness: The metaphor of night and day illustrates the stark contrast between a life lived in sin and one illuminated by Christ. Paul urges believers to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, symbolizing the transformative power of living a life in Christ, which dispels the darkness of sin.

Verse 13 — Living Honorably: This verse calls for a life of honor and integrity, in stark contrast to the indulgences and excesses often associated with nighttime behavior. Paul’s exhortation to live decently as in the daytime is a call to Christian ethical conduct, emphasizing sobriety, love, and peace over worldly desires.

Verse 14 — Clothed in Christ: Finally, Paul encourages believers to clothe themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. This imagery suggests a deep and personal transformation, where one’s identity is so intertwined with Christ that His attributes and character are visibly manifested in their life. It’s a call to a profound inner change that influences outward behavior, aligning one's life more closely with Jesus’ teachings and example.

In conclusion, Romans 13:11-14 serves as a poignant reminder during the Advent season to remain vigilant in faith, live honorably, and embrace the transformative power of Christ. As we anticipate the celebration of His birth, these verses call us to awaken to the hope and light He brings into our lives and the world.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Commentaries are by Kenny Sallee, ThM.

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Saturday, December 23, 2023
Dawn of Divine Joy: Embracing the Light of Advent
Psalm 96; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Romans 13:11-14
As we gather on this serene Saturday, the threshold of Christmas approaches, bringing with it a promise of renewal and divine joy. Today, we delve into the profound and uplifting messages of today's readings. Psalm 96 calls us to rejoice in the Lord's majesty and righteousness, resonating with the jubilant spirit of the coming Christ. Our reandin in Zephaniah offers a vision of redemption and celebration, echoing the liberating joy of Christmas. Meanwhile, our reading in Romans awakens us to the urgency of salvation, urging us to embrace the light of Christ and cast aside the darkness. Together, these scriptures guide us in a reflective journey towards the birth of Jesus, encouraging us to prepare our hearts for the transformative joy of Christmas.