The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Friday, December 22, 2023
Awaiting the Dawn
Psalm 96; Zephaniah 3:8-13; Romans 10:5-13
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Days around Christmas)
Introduction
As we approach the Friday before Christmas, a time of heightened anticipation and reflection, we turn our hearts to a trio of powerful scriptural passages that speak to the essence of Advent and the promise of salvation. Psalm 96 invites us into a joyous celebration of the Lord's greatness, urging us to sing a new song and proclaim His glory to all nations. In the midst of this rejoicing, Zephaniah 3:8-13 provides a prophetic glimpse of the Lord's purification and restoration, a promise of a remnant preserved in righteousness and humility. Completing this triad, Romans 10:5-13 reminds us of the universality of salvation through faith in Christ, a message particularly poignant as we prepare to celebrate His birth. Together, these scriptures weave a tapestry of praise, promise, and hope, guiding us towards the light of Christ that shines ever brighter as Christmas draws near.
A Psalm and A PrayerResponsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 96Joyful Echoes As we gather on this serene Friday before Christmas, let us turn our hearts to Psalm 96, a song of jubilant praise. In the midst of the bustling holiday preparations, this Psalm invites us to pause and reflect on the majesty and glory of the Lord. It reminds us of the joy and hope that Christ's birth brings to the world, urging us to proclaim His salvation and declare His wonders. As we read these ancient words, let them resonate anew in our hearts, filling us with a deep sense of awe and gratitude for the gift of Jesus Christ.
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, on this blessed Friday before Christmas, we come before You with hearts full of anticipation and joy. As we read and meditate on Psalm 96, we are reminded of Your splendor and the great gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, help us to sing a new song to You, to declare Your glory among the nations and Your marvelous deeds to all people. May our spirits be lifted in praise and adoration, and may our lives reflect the joy and hope of this holy season. Guide us to worship You in the beauty of holiness and to spread the message of Your love and salvation.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.”
As we approach the joyous season of Christmas, a time symbolizing hope, renewal, and divine love, it is insightful to reflect on the words of the prophet Zephaniah. In Zephaniah 3:8-13, we find a profound message that resonates deeply during this time of anticipation. These verses offer a unique perspective on the themes of judgment and redemption, crucial elements in the advent journey. As we gather this Friday before Christmas, let us delve into these verses to uncover the layers of hope and promise that lie within the impending judgment, reminding us of God’s unending mercy and love.
3 8
Therefore wait for me,”
declares the Lord,
“for the day I will stand up to testify.
I have decided to assemble the nations,
to gather the kingdoms
and to pour out my wrath on them—
all my fierce anger.
The whole world will be consumed
by the fire of my jealous anger.9
“Then I will purify the lips of the peoples,
that all of them may call on the name of the Lord
and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
10 From beyond the rivers of Cush
my worshipers, my scattered people,
will bring me offerings.
11 On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame
for all the wrongs you have done to me,
because I will remove from you
your arrogant boasters.
Never again will you be haughty
on my holy hill.
12 But I will leave within you
the meek and humble.
The remnant of Israel
will trust in the name of the Lord.
13 They will do no wrong;
they will tell no lies.
A deceitful tongue
will not be found in their mouths.
They will eat and lie down
and no one will make them afraid.”Commentary
Verses 8-13 presents a striking contrast between the looming judgment of God and the promise of restoration.
In verse 8, the text speaks of God's decision to gather nations for the purpose of pouring out His wrath, a theme that might seem distant from the Christmas spirit. However, this judgment is not the end but a pathway to a new beginning.
Verses 9-10 transition into a message of hope, where God promises to purify the lips of the peoples, enabling them to call upon His name and serve Him shoulder to shoulder. This purification is symbolic of the transformation that Christmas represents—the birth of Christ bringing light into a world marred by sin and despair.
In verses 11-13, the focus shifts to a humble and lowly people who will trust in the name of the Lord. This remnant, spared from God's judgment, embodies the spirit of the Christmas season—humility, trust, and a deep sense of hope in God’s promises. These verses echo the essence of the Christmas story, where a humble setting in Bethlehem became the birthplace of the Savior.
As we reflect on these verses this Friday before Christmas, we are reminded that the advent season is not just about joyful anticipation but also about recognizing our need for salvation—a theme that Zephaniah captures poignantly. In the midst of preparation and celebration, these verses call us to ponder the profound nature of God’s judgment and the incredible gift of redemption that is made manifest in the birth of Jesus Christ. This duality of judgment and hope serves as a powerful reminder of God's omnipotent grace and the true meaning of Christmas.
As we approach the blessed season of Christmas on this serene Friday, our hearts turn towards the profound message of hope and salvation presented in Romans 10:5-13. In these verses, the Apostle Paul eloquently unfolds the essence of the Christian faith, encapsulating the simplicity yet the profound depth of the path to salvation through Christ. As we immerse ourselves in the festive spirit and the anticipation of celebrating Christ's birth, this passage offers a timely reminder of the true reason for the season—the gift of salvation freely offered to all who believe.
10 5
Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Commentary
Romans 10:5-13 presents a stark contrast between the righteousness based on the law and the righteousness based on faith. Paul begins by discussing the impossibility of attaining salvation through the law, as it demands complete and perfect obedience, a feat unattainable by humanity. This sets the stage for the beautiful truth of the Gospel—that Christ is the culmination of the law, providing a way for us to attain righteousness through faith.As Christmas draws near, these verses remind us that the birth of Jesus was the divine answer to our inability to fulfill the law. Christ’s coming signifies the transition from the law’s demands to the grace-filled offer of salvation through faith. This message is particularly poignant during the Christmas season, as we celebrate the arrival of Jesus, the very embodiment of this grace.Verses 9-10 highlight a simple yet powerful formula for salvation: confessing with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in our heart that God raised Him from the dead. This simplicity is the beauty of the Gospel; it is accessible to everyone, regardless of background or past. The festive season amplifies this message of inclusivity and universal access to God's grace, as depicted in verse 12, which declares that the Lord bestows riches upon all who call on Him.Finally, verse 13 encapsulates the essence of the Christmas message and the Christian faith: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." As we engage in the joyous traditions and celebrations of Christmas, this verse invites us to reflect on the profound truth that the birth of Christ opened the way for everyone, without distinction, to access the gift of eternal life.In conclusion, as we bask in the festive atmosphere and prepare to celebrate Christmas, Romans 10:5-13 serves as a powerful reminder of the heart of the holiday—a celebration of God's ultimate gift of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. This passage beckons us to embrace the simplicity and profundity of the Gospel, reflecting on the incredible love and grace that the Christmas season represents.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.orgThe Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Friday, December 22, 2023
Awaiting the Dawn
Psalm 96; Zephaniah 3:8-13; Romans 10:5-13
As we approach the Friday before Christmas, a time of heightened anticipation and reflection, we turn our hearts to a trio of powerful scriptural passages that speak to the essence of Advent and the promise of salvation. Psalm 96 invites us into a joyous celebration of the Lord's greatness, urging us to sing a new song and proclaim His glory to all nations. In the midst of this rejoicing, our reading in Zephaniah provides a prophetic glimpse of the Lord's purification and restoration, a promise of a remnant preserved in righteousness and humility. Completing this triad, our reading in Romans reminds us of the universality of salvation through faith in Christ, a message particularly poignant as we prepare to celebrate His birth. Together, these scriptures weave a tapestry of praise, promise, and hope, guiding us towards the light of Christ that shines ever brighter as Christmas draws near.
