Fourth Tuesday of Advent
Zep 3:14-18a
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you,
he has turned away your enemies;
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior;
He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love,
He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.
Zephaniah is the ninth of the twelve minor prophets and his book is only
three chapters in length. It ends with this promise of grace for those of
us who persevere in our faith and response to God’s challenges. It is
certainly hopeful to know that our God will send a might savior who ill
renew us in his love and sing joyfully because of us.
Today is also the Winter Solstice – the shortest day of the year. The upper
areas of Canada or northern Europe, may see only seven hours of sun light
(We will have 10 hours between sunrise and set here in Arizona). However,
the celebration of the Winter Solstice by the population in the British
Isles and northern Europe is most probably the origin of the Celebration of
December 25th as the Birthday of Christ.
Biblical scholars can make a very strong argument that Christ was most
probably born in late September. However, as Missionaries for Christianity
moved to the northern cultures, they realized that having a Christian
celebration to coincide with winter solstice would definitely improve the
transition to Christianity – and Christmas – Christ’s Mass – the day to
celebrate the Birth of Christ was born.
In the years when our children were at home, we always put up our Christmas
tree on the Solstice – to honor the origins of the traditions.
Peace be with you
Jan
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