Excerpted from 2024 Advent Guide: Hope is Near, an Advent Guide for Lectionary Year C from the North Carolina Council of Churches.
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king’s son.
May he judge your people with righteousness
and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy,
and crush the oppressor.
May he live while the sun endures
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
In his days may righteousness flourish
and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
render him tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts.
May all kings fall down before him,
all nations give him service.
For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy
and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
and precious is their blood in his sight.
Today’s psalm is a powerful prayer reflecting ideals of justice, peace, and prosperity. It beautifully lays out the qualities needed for a righteous leader and shows us how to embody God’s care for the poor and needy in our communities. Such visions align with the epiphany of Christ’s presence in the world.
Epiphany calls us to lead with love, to be open to revelation, and to recognize God’s presence is made known through all people and in all places. Such omnipresence challenges us to break down walls and transcend borders; it calls us to embrace difference and mend divisions. Epiphany reveals the presence of Christ as an invitation to live out that unity in our daily lives. It is a reminder that the radical nature of God’s grace is for everyone and challenges us to open our hearts to this truth.
The journey of the Magi to see the Christ child tells of such truth seeking, even when doing so requires us to leave behind comfort and familiarity. The Magi, guided by hope, traveled a great distance and found the Christ child in a humble setting. Their visit reminds us that hopeful living often involves stepping into the unknown, trusting that God will light the way.
As we enter into the season of Epiphany, may we remember God’s call to each of us to pursue compassion and peace in our communities, striving to embody the values named in today’s psalm—a world where righteousness and justice reign. In our love and care for one another, we will find salvation.
