by 
Comfort for God’s People
Isaiah 40:1-11 (New International Version)
By Carol B-B
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”
We bring good news to Zion—to our friends and family, our neighbors and community, and to all the world. Jesus is born. Jesus is here. Jesus is our hope, and He wipes away our tears and carries us close to His heart. How does this look in our daily lives?
A friend loses a precious loved one. We support them with our prayers, our words, our presence, and our casseroles whenever they’re needed. A child shows up on Sunday morning, every week, without gloves or a hat, yet the outside temperature is 25 degrees, with a constant frigid wind blowing without fail from the north. We respond quietly with a child-size scarf, a hat, and heavy gloves, checking to be sure that child has a warm jacket or coat in good repair to move through each day of the winter. A man sits alone in the corner of Hardee’s, sipping a cup of coffee. He’s wearing a grimy stocking cap, ripped and stained jeans, with shaggy hair and a beard. His shoes have holes in the toes, and there’s a dime on the table next to his cup. We ask him if he’s hungry and what would he like. And then sit down with him, to share a few moments with him, to remind him he’s alive, he’s visible, and he is loved, just like each of us.
These are ways to bring good news. We all have ways to do this … sending texts or making a phone call to someone to say “hi, thinking of you;” sending a card or an email to share love. Paying for the person’s meal behind you at the drive-up window. Parking the car further away, knowing someone else needs that close spot by the door more than we do. Smiling. Just smiling. And praying without ceasing. These actions clearly shout-“Here is your God! God of all, come to earth, for each of us. To transform us, claim us, save us from ourselves.”
God transforms others through us-through each way we respond to God’s love for us. We model what we want. We model what God models for us every day-loving unconditionally, completely, as only God can love. The entire world shifted 2,000 years ago, when Jesus was born. Everything began to change— and will never be the same again. Thanks be to God!
Prayer: God of second chances, hear our prayers of thanksgiving for each of us, for Your Son, Jesus the Christ, who was born to save us all, to bring comfort and love, peace and joy for all Your people. Thank you, God, for the transforming power of His birth and life, and Your faith in us to boldly proclaim the Gospel. With words, if necessary. All glory and honor to You, Almighty God, forever and ever! Amen
