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14 Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. 16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. 17 The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” 18 “I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you. 19 At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame. 20 At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunesbefore your very eyes,” says the LORD. (Zephaniah 3:14-20 NIV)
One of my favorite hymns is Tu Dejaste Tu Trono, which is the Spanish version of Room for Thee. (English version here: https://bit.ly/4fjGCb6. The words are haunting for they speak of not being room for His birth, i.e. the "no room at the inn" for Him, etc. As I matured and sang and sang that hymn every year it made me sad that He who had come to invite us in to a kingdom with room for everybody, suffered the reality of no room in what we could call a decent place for His birth, yet the hymn writer says the most important room we can offer Him today is the room we make for Him in our hearts.
Advent is the season of preparation and examination as we should quite purposefully and intentionally make room for Jesus, Who truly is the light of the world. Advent is a time of waiting, longing, and anticipation, but it is also a time of profound hope. In the midst of our expectations for Christ’s return, the Old Testament prophet Zephaniah offers us a powerful vision of God's promise of restoration and joy.
In Zephaniah 3:14-20, the prophet speaks to a people who are weary and burdened by their circumstances. Is he preaching or meddling? Israel, having suffered the consequences of their disobedience, is longing for deliverance. Yet, in the midst of judgment, God speaks words of comfort and hope. Zephaniah tells the people to "sing aloud" and "rejoice and exult with all your heart," for God is not distant but is in their midst, bringing salvation and restoration. The God who once judged and disciplined will now heal, restore, and gather the scattered. Have you ever stopped to ponder the awesomeness of singing in the Christmas story? Did you forget about the choir of angels who sang to the shepherds? The way Mary sang after she was told of her pregnancy and selection as the woman who would brith God's son? What keeps you from singing right now?
This passage points us forward to the hope that Advent offers: the coming of a Savior who will redeem and renew all things. God promises to deal with our brokenness and sin, to restore us to fullness, and to bring us peace. This season, we reflect not only on the first coming of Christ but on His second coming—when He will make all things new.
Zephaniah emphasizes the joy that accompanies God's intervention. The people of God are told that they will no longer have to fear. “The Lord your God is in your midst,” Zephaniah proclaims, “a warrior who gives victory.” These words remind us that God is not only with us but is actively working on our behalf. Just as the people of Israel longed for God's intervention, we too look to Christ as the one who will one day bring ultimate peace and justice.
As we wait for Christ to come, we are called to live in the assurance of God's love and presence, rejoicing in the hope that He brings. Advent is not just a season of waiting—it is a season of celebration, as we remember that God has already come in Jesus Christ and will come again.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the hope and joy that Advent brings. As we await the coming of Christ, may we be reminded of Your promise to restore, heal, and gather Your people. Help us to live in the joy of Your presence, knowing that You are near. Teach us to rejoice in the hope that You bring and to share that hope with those around us. In this season of waiting, fill our hearts with the peace and love that only You can give. Come, Lord Jesus, and make all things new. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Why not reflect on the joy and peace that God promises through the coming of Jesus. Take time each day to rejoice in God’s presence, knowing that He is near. How can you embody this joy in your daily life? Is there someone you can encourage with the hope of Christ, or a way you can share God’s love and peace in your community? Let this Advent be a season of joyful expectation, trusting that God is at work in our world and in our hearts, preparing us for His coming. Why not sing along to the Youtube video of Room for Thee?
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
