In the Book of Common Prayer is this sentence: “Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ faith unto all who truly turn to him.” A selection of Scripture passages follows, which are meant to encourage us and give us strength. Which is what the word comfort means in Latin - confirmo.
In Isaiah chapter 40 there is a summons to experience comfort. “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” After generations of exile, God wants his people to be comforted. They had been through so much and now was the time for comfort.
We need comfort after hard times.
A comfortable sofa after a hard day.
Comforted by friends after upset.
Comfort food and drink - like a coffee after being at hospital this morning.
We sing in the Christmas story of “tidings of comfort and joy.” God comes to us and wraps us securely in his love. In the midst of upset, uncertainty and a mad world, we find comfort that God gives us care and peace right where we are.
I’ve already reached Christmas delirium! This is shown by me singing Christmas music out loud. Christmas music is all about comfort and joy! I was apparently singing sweet shining Christmas bells this morning! Then in the chaos of Yorkshire pudding this afternoon on the radio of comfort shout and joy through Paul McCartney’s “wonderful Christmas time.”
Tonight I was called to the hospital to be with a dear man who is about to leave this earth. His faith, said his wife, has been important to him. I had a prayer holding his hand which I hope brought comfort to him and to his wife staying with him tonight: I remembered the prayer by heart (just!)
“The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you his peace.” I hope for him tonight he knows God’s comfort.
Incarnation is all about God comforting his people by telling them we are never alone even facing death. There is nowhere that God is not. We need comfort every day. We need a celebration to comfort us through the year. But even I was shocked to see Easter eggs with Easter publicity in a shop today! That’s just mad. For now, where is comfort and joy for us? I guess the question is who needs Christmas most? Be comforted, dear readers, for it is soon come.
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