Today is Dec 6 in the first week of Advent.


May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit. 
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.  
  
Today’s reading is from the book of Isaiah, chapter 40. 
  
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” 
  
Behold, the savior of the world, who comes into the world with comfort, tenderness, forgiveness, and blessing. What do you think it means that Isaiah prophesied that God would enter into the world in this fashion? Do you find it strange, that a savior is described with words that feel so kind?  
  
The character of God often surprises us: that our savior comes not with an eye-roll, filled with frustration at our inability to get things right, a sense of ‘I told you so’ in the air? Consider for a moment a time you actually needed saved: from a stupid decision, a bad choice, an error of judgement… or even from your own sin and recklessness. Consider what it means that God draws near as your savior as a comforter, with tenderness, words of peace, forgiveness, and blessing… 
  
Now enter a personal time of prayer and that God that He demonstrates is salvation power to us through love. Consider if you are following in His way…  
  
This Advent, our world – your world – is filled with people who need the comfort of Christ. Not a word of judgement, or a condemnation. As you have received the comfort and tenderness of Christ yourself, be diligent about treating those around you with the same kindness. Ask the Lord to lead you in love: who can you serve today? Who can you pray for or offer tenderness to?  

Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee. 
Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… 
In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.