‘Comfort, Comfort my people’  (Isaiah 40:1) God’s voice breaks the silence. It announces to Jerusalem that the time of exile is over. Despite the mountainous sins of idol worship and forsaking the only true God, the forthcoming blessing will be twice as great as the error committed. How is God wanting to restore you?  From what exiles would he free you?  Have you remembered Jesus
gathers his lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart (Isaiah 40:11)? Our text today, draws us to God’s enduring and freeing word of promise brought to life in the person of Christ (Isaiah 40:1-11 – see also Mark 1:1).  For Christ is our generous comfort, promising to come to us this Advent and always!