J. Daryl Byler and his wife, Cindy, are Regional Representatives for Mennonite Central Committee in the Middle East. On this third Sunday of Advent Daryl spoke of our fears in the world today. But God is in our midst, so how does this impact us? Because God is with us, we need not be afraid. In Zephaniah 3:14-20 the prophet tells Israel that God has turned back the enemy and they no longer need fear harm. Rather, there is reason to celebrate. So because God is with us, we can celebrate. And in Luke 3:7-18 John the Baptist exhorts the crowds to a new way of living because God is with them. Because God is with us we can live generously, seeking justice and living gently. Out of his context of living in Jordan, Daryl gave some suggestions of how we might live gently, generously, and justly to impact, or at least understand, the complex situations in the Middle East.
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