COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Zephaniah 3:14-20
Rejoice, for Yahweh will restore his people to their homeland. This is the only use of Zephaniah in the three-year Lectionary. Zephaniah lived during the reign of Josiah in the seventh century, prior to the Babylonian captivity. Our pericope is considered an addition by an unknown author of the Deutero-Isaiah period. The passage gives good news of salvation to those in exile: a return to Jerusalem, victory over enemies, Yahweh in their midst, and renown among the nations. This is the ample reason for wholehearted rejoicing with loud singing. Out of the doom and destruction of the first two chapters comes a chapter of hope and thus appropriate as a Lesson for Advent.

Epistle: Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord who is at hand. The key verse in…