The Third Sunday of Advent 2021

Today is
Sunday the 12 December, the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday.
 
Future of Forestry sing, ‘Come Thou Long Expected Jesus’. Notice what stirs in you, as you hear this song of longing…
 
Today's reading is from the prophet Zephaniah.
 
Zephaniah 3:14-18
 
Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
   shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
   O daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgements against you,
   he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
   you shall fear disaster no more.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion;
   do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
   a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
   he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
   as on a day of festival.
I will remove disaster from you,
   so that you will not bear reproach for it.
 
An invitation to sing today.
  To shout out loud.
  To rejoice.
  Can I let myself go and do just that?
  In my imagination, in my heart, or physically?
    Where in the world around me do I see people letting go and rejoicing? Perhaps I could learn from them.
  Or even join in.
 
The Lord is ‘in our midst’.
  Can I recognise the Lord in our midst?
  I could ask for that grace.
  So much potential, so many surprises, perhaps!
How might God in our midst react to my recognition?
  Picture that scene of encounter.
 
As you hear the passage again, you might want to think about how you’d like to enjoy recognising, and worshipping, God today.
 
As this time of reflection comes to an end, speak to God, as one friend to another, about the longings in your heart. 
 
O Wisdom
Lord and Ruler
Root of Jesse
Key of David
Rising Sun
King of the Nations
Emmanuel

Come, Lord Jesus