Overview
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. - Isaiah 40:1
Handel’s Messiah opens with these words: “Comfort ye, Comfort ye, My People, saith your God.”
He’s quoting Isaiah 40:1-4 in the opening lines . . . and I think this matters. Arguably one of the most impressive scores, musical pieces, and orchestra arrangements ever . . . especially at Christmas, Handel tells the story from Jesus’ birth to death. It is where we get pieces like the Hallelujah Chorus, and the whole work begins with “Comfort ye, Comfort ye, My people, saith your God.”
I wonder if Handel knew that these words are the opening lines to what scholars call Second Isaiah? Isaiah is written in three different time periods. First Isaiah was written during Assyrian rule in the 8th century and includes chapters 1-39. Second Isaiah opens in Isaiah 40 with the Babylonian Empire in full swing and goes through chapter 55. Third Isaiah is written during Persian Rule with Cyrus the Great ending the Israelite Exile and goes to the end of the book.
I am guessing Handel did not know his words were the first words from God to the captive, exiled Israelites during the Babylonian reign. But this is just how the Spirit works. Handel opens his score with Isaiah 40:1-4, and it hits us (the listeners) in the same way it does Israel — comfort in the midst of chaos.
I know we’re not held captive by foreign adversaries, but right now we are exiled from our normal rhythms and habits. The coronavirus is still here. We’re still transmitting the disease on a global scale. We’re still in need of a God who says, “Comfort ye, my people.”
May we, this Christmas, open our souls to hear God’s abiding words to us all: “Comfort, O comfort my people.” These words might just capture the majesty and message of Christmas in its entirety for us this year.
November 29 | Isaiah 64:1-9 | Comfort and Hope
To close out the third portion of Isaiah, we get these words:
We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:4-8)
The hope found, even in grief and despair, is the same hope we need this Christmas. We haven’t always lived up to our end of God’s covenant with us, but God is still the ‘potter, and we are the clay.’ Carrying this kind of hope in the midst of the darkness I what we need this Christmas.
December 6 | Isaiah 40:1-11 | Comfort and Peace
The comfort we need this Christmas is one of peace. We need peace of mind, peace of spirit, and peace on earth. We can rightfully assume this peace will not be contrived of by human hands. We need the peace that surpasses understanding. We need the peace of God that comes with God-sized comfort.
December 13 | Luke 1:26-38 | Comfort and Joy
Mary’s is comforted by an angel of the Lord telling her she will bear a son. She’s afraid at first but then internalizes the depth of what is being asked of her and finds deep in her soul . . . joy. The joy she has for the role she’s asked to play brings comfort to us all.
December 20 | Luke 1:39-55 | Comfort and Love
Mary’s song is the gospel before the gospel unfolds. She visits her relative (probably cousin) Elizabeth and announces in song that she will forever magnify the Lord because of this miracle. During her pregnancy, she predicts the gospel before it unfolds. Her words still ring true for us today and leads us into worship.
December 24 | Luke 2:1-20 | Tidings of Comfort
Christmas Eve is the ultimate promise of comfort. Our King of Kings and Prince of Peace is here. His love will cover the sins the world. His life will be an example to follow. We are no longer alone and no longer have to be afraid. We’re given by God tidings of comfort and it’s bound in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
December 27 | Luke 2:22-40 | Simeon’s Song of Comfort
Mary takes Jesus to the temple for the rites of purification. While there, a soothsayer blesses Jesus and sings something we would all do well to hear. His song is one of comfort for the whole world.