Second Sunday Advent
Daily Advent Readings & Meditation
December 10, 2023
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Today’s Texts:
Zephaniah 3:14-17: A call to rejoice over the Lord’s presence and salvation.
Philippians 4:4-7: An encouragement to find joy and peace in the Lord.

Zephaniah 3:14-17

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments 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.

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Today’s Meditation:   Zephaniah call us to recognize the salvation that God’s presence brings and to celebrate! The call to celebrate and rejoice is not a call to ignore the hardships and struggles of life. Instead, it is a call to recognize and be surprised and glad at God’s enduring faithfulness and love for us while we are right there in the middle of the struggles. In Philippians, Paul reminds us to remember that same call and God’s continued faithfulness. Remembering and trusting in God’s care for us brings us inner joy and peace – a peace that surpasses our understanding, and yet provides us calm place in the midst of life’s storms. These scriptures remind us that joy and peace are not contingent on external circumstances but are gifts that flow from our relationship with God. Today, let us embrace this joy and peace, allowing them to sustain and guide us through the varied seasons of life.

Something to Think and Pray About:

• How can you cultivate a sense of joy and peace in your life, even when facing challenges?
• What practices can help you focus on the presence and faithfulness of God in your daily life?

A Prayer For Today:  O God of all creation, in this season of Advent, fill our hearts with your joy and peace. Help us to trust in Your presence and salvation so that we may find the strength to face each day. Help us to also be bearers of Your joy and peace, sharing it with those around us. Amen.