Comfort

Grace and peace to you as we approach the second week of Advent. I am thankful for you and your faithfulness and pray that you and your family and friends are well.

“Comfort, O comfort my people.” What welcomed and tender words for a weary world. I know I need to hear these words, particularly this week. A close and longtime friend and colleague died after a short illness. Many of you have lost loved ones this year. Many are experiencing challenges for which we need a word of hope. And God offers us hope. Hope of Jesus. Hope comes with the presence of the One who loves us most.

I invite you to take a moment to stop and listen to

this contemplative version of the hymn “Comfort, O comfort my people.”

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Let the words and tune envelope you with God’s tenderness and care. Listen to it a second time. If you are in an upbeat spirit, dance to this version

Consider meditating on the first verse, or read it aloud to begin your evening meal:

Comfort, comfort ye my people,
speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
comfort those who sit in darkness
mourning 'neath their sorrow's load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
of the peace that waits for them!
Tell her that her sins I cover,
and her warfare now is over.

Which words are said for you today? Wherever you are this season in your soul, hear God’s compassionate words of comfort. God yearns for our well-being and the thriving of all creation.