On this third Sunday in Advent we focus on
Psalm 126*
which is believed to have originated after 538 BC., following Israel's return from exile in Babylon. God had restored the nation's fortunes, allowing the people to look forward in joy and with hope. This psalm still speaks words of promise today; we are called to live in faith until we find 'our way home', and rest in the love and justice of God.
*A contemporary version of Psalm 126 is printed below:
When God made us happy again,
it was as if we awoke from a dream.
Then we laughed and we sang,
we shouted for joy,
because God was so good to us!
We were sad and our lives were so hard,
but we planted our seeds and we prayed.
Then God blessed the seeds and they grew.
So we laughed and we sang,
we shouted for joy,
because God was so good to us!
May all hurting people learn how to laugh,
when they find they don’t hurt anymore.
May the ones who are hungry shout for joy,
when they find good food to eat.
Ralph Milton, from The Lectionary Story Bible Year C.
© 2009 Wood Lake Publishing Ltd.
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