Throughout the season of Advent, we’ll have a weekday reflection based on suggested scriptures from a great resource entitled The Common Rule. You can find a calendar of the daily readings here.

Today, we hear the words of Isaiah, “Comfort.” I recount how, as I kid I was always puzzled by Mr. Rogers putting on comfortable clothes at the beginning of each episode, but now I find myself doing the exact same thing each day. I put on something comfortable. Today, God is telling us that His glory has been revealed to us, in Jesus, and that He provides comfort to us. Today, comfort is found for us all, in Jesus.

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God’s Word.

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You can read today’s passage, Isaiah 40: 1-5, here.

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Or, if you’d like to read the transcript of the video, keep reading!

Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be with you on this wonderful Wednesday. I hope you’re enjoying the first week of Advent. Tonight, we invite you to join us at St. Matthew’s for a special worship experience as our children present their Christmas musical, “Angels Aware.” The dedication of our volunteers, led by Laura and Tim, has made this event possible, and we’d love for you to celebrate with us.

Throughout the rest of Advent, we’ll be exploring different passages each day. As we’re in this season of waiting and preparation, I’ve decided to focus solely on Advent for now, reserving the exploration of a different Bible reading for the New Year. To guide us in this season, I’ll be using a resource called the Common Rule, which provides daily suggested readings. You can find the link in the video, podcast, and on my blog.

Today’s suggested reading is from the prophet Isaiah, specifically Isaiah chapter 40, verses 1-5. “Comfort, O comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and cry to her that she has served her term, her penalty has been paid. She has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out, ‘In the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert a highway to our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain shall be made low. The uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all the people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.'”

Reflecting on this passage, I’m reminded of my childhood and the limited entertainment options in small rural areas. Our TV choices were scarce, and I recall the simplicity of my video games compared to those of today’s kids. Growing up in Bogochitum, we primarily received stations from Jackson but could rotate our fancy internal antenna to catch stations from Baton Rouge.

One of my favorite childhood shows was Mr. Rogers. I chuckled with my wife Holly last night, comparing the simplicity of our video games to today’s options. Mr. Rogers, in his show, would change into comfortable clothes after work, a ritual that I now find myself emulating. It’s funny how we gravitate towards comfort when we return home.

Isaiah echoes the theme of comfort in Chapter 40, where God instructs, “Comfort, O comfort my people.” The prophet, often delivering messages of judgment due to the people’s disobedience, offers a refreshing message of comfort. Despite the consequences of sin, there’s comfort because a voice will cry out in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord.

John the Baptist fulfilled this role in preparing the way for Jesus. Verse 5 declares, “The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all the people shall see it together.” As Christians, we recognize this revelation in the person of Jesus Christ. The comfort we experience today is rooted in the fact that God’s glory has been revealed through Christ’s arrival.

In our daily lives, we often seek comfort, and Isaiah’s message reminds us that true comfort lies in the revealed glory of the Lord. This Advent, as we wait and prepare, take comfort in the knowledge that God loves us. Brendan Manning suggests that one of the questions God may ask us in judgment is, “Did you really believe that I loved you?” It’s a question we can reflect on now. Do we truly believe in God’s love, or do we strive to earn it through our actions?

As we navigate this season, let’s embrace God’s comfort and love. Whether we find ourselves in moments of joy or struggle, God’s comfort is always present. The glory of the Lord has been revealed through Jesus Christ, offering us lasting comfort. So, take comfort, dear friends, in the overwhelming love and mercy of God. Rejoice in the assurance that you are loved and cherished by the Lord. As we draw near to the birth of our Savior and anticipate His second coming, find delight in the comforting presence of the Lord.

Thank you for joining us as we delve into these Advent passages each morning. I look forward to being with you again tomorrow. Have a truly comforting day!