Rejoice in the Lord Always
“Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice!”
Advent presses ever onward, and paradoxically – though the days grow darker – hope deepens, peace expands, and we hear a note of growing joy. The Prophet Zephaniah bursts into song, proclaiming God’s salvation, promising restoration for a people burdened by shame and fear. “Sing aloud, O daughter Zion!” he cries, as God promises to dwell among His people, bringing peace and gladness. This joyous hope is echoed in the words of Paul to the Philippians: a command to rejoice always, even in uncertainty, for “the Lord is near.” Yet this rejoicing is not without repentance, as John the Baptist reminds us in the Gospel of Luke, calling us to bear fruits worthy of our calling as God’s children.
Rosa Bonheur’s The Sheepfold, Moonlight offers a quiet, contemplative vision of peace and provision, well-suited to the themes of this week’s readings. Set under the gentle glow of the moon, the sheepfold evokes Psalm 85’s vision of righteousness and peace meeting together, a world where God’s presence is felt even in the quiet simplicity of the land. Bonheur, celebrated for her ability to capture the natural world with reverence and precision, paints a scene where God’s shalom seems palpable. This is the joy that Zephaniah speaks of: not a raucous, fleeting cheer, but a profound assurance of God’s nearness and care. Likewise, “joy” may not be the first thing that comes to mind as we consider Bonheur’s landscape – which, at a glance, looks as chilly as it does peaceful. But in the pile of snuggling sheep, and the gentle light in the window, there is the invocation of a certain warmth; and with the warmth, a hope, and with the hope, joy indeed does come to us, a surprising visitor, in the deep of night.
"Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other."
– Psalm 85:10
Third Sunday in Advent
Texts for This Week
Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found a people acceptable in your sight; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Scriptures
Zephaniah 3:14–20
Psalm 85
Philippians 4:4–9
Luke 3:7–20
William Dawson
William Dawson’s arrangement of the spiritual Soon-a Will Be Done captures the urgency and joy of Advent’s call to readiness. With its driving rhythms and deeply felt harmonies, the piece speaks of a hope that is fierce and unyielding. Dawson takes the traditional spiritual and amplifies its message of deliverance, weaving the refrain into a tapestry of longing for the end of sorrow and the coming of God’s kingdom. It pairs beautifully with the Baptist’s stern yet hopeful message: Repentance is the gateway to joy, and our preparation is one of joyful anticipation.:
As we prepare for the arrival of Christ, the call to rejoice may seem out of step with the world’s worries. But Advent joy is not about ignoring pain or sorrow; it is about holding to the hope that God’s promises will be fulfilled. Like the sheepfold under the moonlight or the spiritual’s proclamation of ultimate deliverance, we are invited to look beyond our immediate troubles to the faithfulness of the One who comes. As the Prophet Zephaniah sings, “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." Let us prepare our hearts, rejoicing in hope, and ready to greet Him with joy when He comes again.
