The Third Sunday of Advent 2024

As we enter the Third Sunday of Advent in Year C, I find myself reflecting on how our readings and the Collect for today bring together the major themes of biblical and prophetic tradition. This convergence deepens our preparation as God’s faithful people for the approaching celebration of Christmas. We earnestly pray that God will “stir up divine power and come among us,” and in this prayer, we’re presented with a paradoxical message: one of fearful judgment and joyful anticipation.

This message first appears in Zephaniah’s announcement of “the Day of the Lord,” a time when God will come to draw all people into a saving and life-giving community. “The Lord, your God, is in your midst,” he proclaims. “Sing aloud… Rejoice… Exult.” These words invite us to embrace the hope and joy that God’s presence brings.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we see this theme continue. For Paul and the church in Philippi, the Lord has indeed come through Jesus’ death and resurrection. “Rejoice,” Paul urges, “and be partakers in the peace of God,” which serves as our true guardian and protector. It’s a call to immerse ourselves in the profound peace that comes from a deep relationship with God.

Yet, before we fully embrace this rejoicing, we hear the challenging words of John the Baptist. He warns us that we must be prepared for the Lord’s coming if it is truly to be a time of joy. Repentance is the key to this preparation. But repentance must be more than a fleeting feeling or a mere outward ritual—such as water baptism or tracing our lineage to Abraham. True repentance must bear fruit in our lives; it must manifest in social righteousness, in self-giving, and in concrete actions of love and mercy toward others.

The message is clear: the Lord is already in our midst. Recognizing this, we lift our voices in joyful Alleluias as God comes to us through the Word and again in the breaking of the bread. This Advent season invites us to open our hearts fully, to prepare ourselves not just through words but through deeds, so that we might truly celebrate the presence of God among us.

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