Zephaniah was a prophet (640-621 B.C.) to the people of Judah who had forsaken God, worshipped idols and lived sinfully. The book's first two chapters warn the people of Judah about God's wrath and judgment. In the third chapter, the people are assured of the "Day" of hope (v 11) when they repent and are restored by God.

Today's reading from the third chapter is filled with positive energy. The people of God are to "shout for joy ... shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart" (v 14).

Why? Because "the Lord has repealed your sentence; ... driven your enemies away"; "the Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst" and so "you have no more evil to fear" (v 15).

And even more wondrous is that because "the Lord your God is in your midst", they have "a victorious warrior" Who "will exult with joy over you"; "Who will renew you by His love", and Who "will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of festival" (vv 17-18).

As we ponder these wondrous words during these days of Advent, we can sense how much God desires for us to repent of our sins and sinful ways; and be restored to God so as to celebrate Christmas with loud cheers of joy.