Sermons

Introduction:

This third Sunday is often considered joy Sunday during Advent. The popular scripture reading for this Sunday comes from Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I say, rejoice!" Certainly Advent is a joyous time.

A rabbi once asked a prominent man, "Why are you always hurrying?" He answered, "I'm running after success, fulfillment, and rewards for all my hard work." The rabbi responded, "You assume those blessings are somewhere ahead of you, and if you chase fast enough you may catch them. But what if those blessings are behind you, are looking for you, and the more you run, the harder you make it for them to find you?"

What joy are we looking for during this season of Advent? We'll explore this as we reflect on a reading from the prophet Zephaniah.