The busy worries and difficulties of life easily drag us into an endless cycle. As a result, we forget the presence of God in our lives. Whether we like it or not, people need God. Christians are people who turn to God like sunflowers turn to the sun, like breath to the body and like daily food. During Advent, the Church reminds us: do not forget the presence of God among His people. The name Emmanuel means God-with-us. Therefore, be happy and look at this life with a positive perspective and with compassion. God is also very happy to be among us.

Zephaniah was a Jewish prophet who lived in the seventh century BC, and was active in the south during the reign of King Josiah (640-609 BC). His message was to defend the poor, condemn the ruling class and the judges of his day, along with their bad customs and idolatry. He was also a prophet of hope, with the conviction that God was always present among his people. The passage read on Sunday is the conclusion of the book that bears his name. The prophet invites the Jewish people to rejoice, even in the midst of injustice and disaster, because God is always present among his people. He is present to support and comfort those who are suffering. He also uses a very bold expression to describe God: “The Lord will dance for you as on a festival day . ” “God dancing” is a strange and unusual image. In some ancient cultural traditions, gods were thought to be like humans. They were happy, sad, and angry. The Jewish God was a joyful God. He shared the fate of his people.

Like the Jews in the time of the prophet Zephaniah, Christians are also invited to rejoice, because the Lord is near. That is the teaching of Saint Paul to the Philippians. Christians are people who are waiting for the Lord to come. So what must we do so that when the Lord comes, He will see us living in peace, generosity, and mutual love with our fellow believers and fellow human beings. When we live in peace, we spread the spirit of love as the Lord taught. Believers are always joyful, because the Lord is with us. He always accompanies us on every step of our earthly journey.

Preparing to welcome the Lord is also a time for each of us to look back at ourselves. The appearance of Saint John the Baptist was a special phenomenon for the Jews. Through his preaching, John affirmed to his contemporaries: what our ancestors had been waiting for is about to come. To be able to welcome Him, each person must repent. Receiving the baptism he celebrated is an act of repentance, conversion and renewal to become a new person.

Every time Advent comes, the Church borrows the preaching of St. John the Baptist to help believers prepare their hearts to welcome the Lord. In fact, Jesus has come in history. He was born in a cave in Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago. If the Church invites us to welcome the Lord, it is to help us reaffirm our belief in His presence in our lives and in our hearts. Bad tendencies, sins and passions are obstacles that obscure the presence of God. Repentance and self-correction will help us recognize God and strive to become like Him.

“What shall we do?” That was the question the Jews asked John the Baptist. The crowd that came to him was very diverse. There were tax collectors, soldiers, and farmers. John gave specific advice for each situation. For us, the spirit of repentance to welcome the Lord is not vague and general, but specific and must be demonstrated by actions.

The joyful spirit is also expressed in the Book of Isaiah chosen for the Responsorial Psalm of the Mass: “Sing aloud, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you!” God is not a stern deity or a tyrannical boss. He is a loving Father, always among us and gives us comfort. His presence will help us dispel darkness, spread joy and fill us with hope. The bustling, joyful atmosphere of the days approaching Christmas reminds us: God is among us, and we are happy to welcome Him.

+Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien