December 12, 2021 Text: Zephaniah 3:14-20
Dear Friends in Christ,
“A Wish For Christmas.” “A Very Merry Mix-Up.” “The Sweetest Christmas.” “Heart of the Holidays.” “Christmas In Tahoe.” “An Unexpected Christmas.” “Next Stop Christmas.”
Those titles are a day in the life of the Hallmark Channel. All having something to do with Christmas. But if you read the bio of the website of each of these selections there is not much of Christ or His birth or why we have Christmas in the first place. Now I am not pooh poohing movies like these. They are better than a lot of television. In fact, when they started showing these movies in October, I told Toni that Hallmark figured in our disagreeable, one side of the fence or the other culture we live in, everyone could use the good feeling of Christmas. Something most of the world still celebrates.
What gets missed is Jesus. Oh a family may go to church or sing a hymn or two but the salvation story of the Babe in Bethlehem is nowhere to be seen. In our text from Zephaniah the people were also missing the message. The book is a whole lot of judgment. We also though have the reminder that God did come down here . . .
“THE LORD IS IN YOUR MIDST”
The Lord wants us to have a reason to celebrate. The people of Zephaniah’s day had a lot of sinful rebellion – the reason for God’s judgment. The Lord was angry and He let them know it.
Does God ever get angry with you? When we fail to live up to His expectations do we think He is happy about it? When we tear His name asunder in our speech does it tear His heart? When we stay away from his house where He offers the greatest of gifts does He shed a tear? When we shun our prayer life and don’t talk to Him is He offended? It is hard to imagine. Can the Lord be like us?
We shouldn’t even be talking this way. The Lord is far superior to man and our emotions that we almost can’t believe it. God does not treat our sins as they deserve. He cares for us as His own. God is not against us. We offend Him but He doesn’t take offense. Look at our text, “The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.” (v. 15)
This is what happened when the sin-atoning Jesus came to our world. God in the flesh went from Babe in Bethlehem to crucified Savior. From a cherry cheeked infant to skin being torn while beaten. From sucking at his mother’s breasts to a few drops of wine vinegar to quench his thirst. From active young boy to “It is finished.” Zephaniah said of him in verse 17, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save.” He saved us from the words we say. He saved us from shunning Him in our worship. He saved us from ignoring him in our prayers. He has forgiven all of these faults and many others. The Lord is in our midst and what joy that brings.
Being in our midst means that when we hear the Scriptures the Word is here. The Word that became flesh to dwell among us. Being in our midst means that the resurrected Christ is here in body and blood to pardon our failings. We get a glimpse of heaven at the Communion rail. Our full restoration will come at Christ’s Second Coming but we can celebrate now in anticipation of what we know is already ours.
When we have baby showers and wedding showers we are celebrating before the celebration. We await the birth with gifts. As the married couple looks forward to their vows before God we give them gifts in anticipation of their new life together.
Zephaniah talks about a celebration before the actual event. He uses words like “sing aloud,” and “rejoice” and “exult.” He is writing that the Lord is taking away his judgments against the people. Why? Because even during those centuries of the “first Advent,” Zephaniah was certain that the baby, the Messiah, was coming.
We have assurances that are firm. We are called to celebrate not only what God is doing right now, but also what we know with the certainty of faith He promises yet to accomplish at the end. Even at a funeral, the death of a loved one, there is an anticipatory celebration for the Christian. We come to that service knowing that like those at a baby or wedding shower something good is still ahead. We know that those who die in Christ have gone to be with Him – which is far better. More than this, they will also rise again on the Last Day.
Celebrate this Advent/Christmas season as Zephaniah reminds us to do because the Lord is “rejoicing over you with gladness and he is quieting you with His love.” The Lord is in our midst and the celebration goes on.
Amen.