HYMNS OF ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS 

Isaiah 40:1-8 “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” 

Johann Olearius (1611-1684) based his hymn “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People” upon the words Isaiah penned in Isaiah 40:1-8. The Hebrew word nacham is the word translated into English as “comfort.” Nacham means “to lament, grieve, and emotions that lead to having pity for others.” (Hebrew Honey, Dr. Al Novak.) Regularly “comfort” is the English translation for this word and pictures God coming to your side, especially when you are in emotional or spiritual need. 

The Psalmist says of Yahweh, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love." (Psalm 145:8) Or Micah says this of Yahweh, “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy." (Micah 7:18) And, in the New Testament St. Paul states in Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

Today, with Christmas just two days from now, read and meditate upon the words of Johann Olearius’ hymn, “Comfort, comfort ye my people.” 

“Comfort, comfort ye My people,   
Speak ye peace,” Thus saith our God;  
“Comfort those who sit in darkness,   
Mourning ‘neath their sorrows’ load.  
Speak ye to Jerusalem  
Of the peace that waits for them;  
Tell her that her sins I cover   
And her warfare now is over.” 

Yes, her sins our God will pardon,   
Blotting out each dark misdeed;  
All that well deserved His anger  
He no more will see or heed.  
She hath suffered many a day,  
Now her griefs have passed away;  
God will change her pining sadness  
Into ever springing gladness. 

Hark, the herald’s voice is crying  
In the desert far and near,  
Calling sinners to repentance,  
Since the Kingdom now is here.  
O that warning cry obey!  
Now prepare for God away;  
Let the valleys rise to meet Him  
And the hills bow down to greet Him. 

Make ye straight what long was crooked;  
Make the rougher places plain.  
Let your hearts be true and humble,  
As befits His holy reign.  
For the glory of the Lord   
Now o’er earth is shed abroad,  
And all flesh shall see the token  
That His Word is never broken.  

(Johann Olearius, 1611-1684. Public Domain) 

Comfort, Comfort Ye My People // LSB 347