000 Allen FMT (i-xxii) - The Presbyterian Leader

216 Fourth Sunday of Advent/Year C
be that the Lord is present in it, the Lord who “will save the lame and
gather the outcast” (v. 19).
This reading is appointed both for the Easter Vigil and for the Third
Sunday of Advent/Year C. Advent and Easter are perfect seasons for reading
Zephaniah’s hymn of joy, seasons in which Christians “rejoice and
exult with all . . . [our] hearts,” singing, dancing, and feasting in the presence
of the Holy One in our midst.
Frequently, on such occasions, Christians talk about how the forthtellings
of the prophets are fulfilled in Jesus Christ; now has come what
Zephaniah anticipated! And that is utterly appropriate, as long as we
remember that what Zephaniah promised has not yet been actualized:
“they shall do no wrong and utter no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be
found in their mouths” (3:13). We still live in a world characterized by
“violence and fraud” (1:9) on a scale far grander than Zephaniah could
possibly have imagined.
Fourth Sunday of Advent/Year C
Micah 5:2–5a
For an introduction to Micah, see Proper 26/Year A. Micah 5:1–6 marks
the third time that Micah speaks of imminent danger and then promises
salvation. Each begins with the word “now.” “Now why do you cry aloud?
Is there no king in you?” (4:9) is uttered to the people as they are about
to “go to Babylon.” “Now many nations are assembled against you” (4:11)
refers to armies encamped around Jerusalem. Today’s reading begins:
“Now you are walled around with a wall; siege is laid against us; with a rod
they strike the ruler [king] of Israel upon the cheek” (5:1). This is the punishment
that Micah had foreseen coming upon Jerusalem for the sins of
its leaders, prophets and priests (3:12).
Each of the first two statements promised salvation from the pressing
danger. “There [in Babylon] you shall be rescued, the LORD will redeem
you” (4:10; see also 4:12–13). Our passage announces prophetic hope for
the future of the people Israel: there will come from the city of David a
ruler under whom the people “shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace” (5:4–5).
Verse 2 speaks to Bethlehem: “But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel.” The expression “of Ephrathah” identifies