Sermon - Isaiah 40:1-11

<p>We all have certain things in life that provide us with a sense of comfort when we feel stressed out or feel we need a bit of solace.  Food is one thing that probably provides a kind of comfort for all of us in one way or another. There are some comfort foods I simply love – like the brie and lobster grilled cheese sandwich on sourdough bread at River House in Williamston. I could relish eating that sandwich every single day. As I savor the flavors of the soft, warm brie and the tender pieces of delicious lobster meat, each luscious bite provides a feeling of wellbeing and comfort. Sitting downstairs in our family room with a fire burning in the fireplace on a cold snowy evening, while at the same time reading a book and having a glass of wine, is another experience that provides a stress relieving sense of comfort for me.</p> <p>We are presently experiencing some very stress-filled, grief laden, anxiety producing days. And, as we look at Isaiah’s words to us on this day, <strong>they</strong> provide us with an experience of <strong>comfort</strong> that is truly <strong>gift</strong> as we hear, <em>“Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.”</em>  When I initially read these words, I felt them in a deep, even guttural way, as they touched my very soul.  They are words I needed to hear. It was truly soothing to receive this word and experience a feeling of comfort that deeply touched my spirit, even to the point that I began to breath more deeply. Reading these words also made me very aware of the depth of my own <em>dis</em>comfort and <em>dis</em>-ease and, quite likely, these words may also make you aware of the depth of your <em>dis</em>comfort and <em>dis</em>-ease in this present time.</p> <p>This first reading comes from second Isaiah when the prophet was speaking and writing to people who were living in exile in Babylon.  In 586 BCE, the Jerusalem Temple had been destroyed, the people had been taken captive, then led away to exile in Babylon.  Isaiah is speaking to people who have been living in e