2024 Advent Devotion: Day 15

Sunday,  December 15

Zephaniah 3:14-20; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18

I love music and I love to sing! Each day I start with music and if the song is one of my favorites, I will sing along. I must admit, I am not a Yolanda Adams or Carrie Underwood, but I can make a joyful noise. The songs that I love hearing and singing the most are Christmas songs. It is not unusual to hear Christmas music in my car in July. There is something about the melodies and the lyrics. “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Joy to the World” or Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” make me feel like snow is falling and a Christmas tree is

all aglow.

Songs have a way of brightening your day and helping you see the light at the end of the tunnel. Music helps to soothe your soul and calm your mind when the world around you seems to be in turmoil. Songs have a way of pulling you out of low places and helping you to hold your head up after defeat.

The message from writers in both Zephaniah and Philippians was to sing and rejoice. Zephaniah 3:14 opens with, “Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart O daughter of Jerusalem” In this text, Israel is beckoned to sing and rejoice as God has brought them out of a low place and “has taken away the judgment against you” (Zeph 3:15). When we sing praises to the Lord, even amid hard and difficult situations, it has the power to strengthen us and help us endure.

The holiday season is a joyous and magical time, but it can be difficult and sad as well. For those who are grieving a loss or having health challenges, the holidays are not bright and cheery. Try to sing and rejoice! I know you are thinking, “How will that help?” Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” For when we rejoice, verse 7 says, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

During this Advent season, let the love of God be the melody in your heart and the words of God be the lyrics that shape your life. God does not want us to be unhappy in any season, especially the season that celebrates the birth of his son Jesus. Holidays, which can be difficult, can be the most wonderful time of the year as we fill them with songs. Yes, much is going on in the world, but let the songs of Zion offer you hope.

I pray that this Advent season the songs you sing will allow you to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord through the wonderful gift of hope through Jesus Christ.

Dana Ijames
School of Divinity Student