6 December 2022

Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.

From Isaiah 40:1-11, NRSV

In today’s first reading, we hear further words of consolation for God’s people. Although it was the people’s sinfulness and lack of faith in God that had led to their downfall, God has decided that they have now more than paid the price. These were a people traumatised by war and enslavement whose children had been born in servitude. Their relationship with God had been deeply wounded, but God wants to restore this relationship and bring about his people’s redemption. God now intends to return to the holy city of Jerusalem and again be accessible to his people. For their part, they must prepare the way for the Lord’s coming

• • How do you suppose these tender words of forgiveness affected the Jewish exiles?
  • What is your experience of receiving God’s forgiveness?

As we continue on our Advent journey, reflect on how you might smooth out the “uneven ground” in your life in order to prepare for Christ’s coming.