After the opening symphony section of the Messiah, Handel moves us right into the opening of Isaiah 40, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people." Most of us associate these words with Advent, since that is the season of the church year in which they are most often read or sung. In that context it is quite natural to connect them with the comfort that comes to us in the birth of Jesus Christ. The "Christian connection" for Isaiah 40 is ancient and very appropriate. Yet the words were originally said in a context long before the birth of Jesus. Here is a brief sketch of that original context: (Kerygma curriculum, Hallelujah)

Under David and Solomon the kingdom of Israel enjoyed a sort of golden age. Soon after Solomon's death, however, the kingdom split apart over issues of who would rule and how. The larger Northern Kingdom became Israel, the smaller, Southern Kingdom, was Judah. Israel chose a king outside of the Davidic line while Judah retained that tradition and held the capital city of Jerusalem (and the temple). In 721 BCE the Northern Kingdom fell and the people were scattered, many years later in 587 BCE, the Southern Kingdom fell as well and the people were scattered and the temple destroyed. The Judean people were now like the Israelites, in exile from their homeland and traditions.

48 years later, due to unexpected political realities, they heard the voice of the prophet Isaiah, telling them that they could come home again. They had lived a long time in a foreign land, scattered about, far from their roots and traditions, but now they could return, not only to their land but all it symbolized as well. They could begin again. The road home that seemed so crooked and treacherous would be made smooth and straight. Of course returning home is not always simple either, particularly after leaving it behind for so long. Some had settled in, what was once foreign was now home. Others had left their religious roots behind and followed foreign gods, while others just didn't care to return. Still there were those who did return, grateful for "a second chance".

The prophet Isaiah was the voice in the wilderness calling the exiled to come home. As Christians, we hear those words in light of what we know of Jesus Christ. He is our "Prophet". He calls us home from our own exiles, straightens our crooked paths and shows us the way to God. The Christian season of Advent that leads us into the season of Christmas lifts up the themes of exile and return, of darkness and light, of hope in the midst of despair. Exile and return are human experiences even today, though we may not use the term "exile".

This year as I hear Isaiah's words, I realize the extent to which I feel in exile from our beloved country. Particularly due to what appears to be a pending war. I feel despair for the domino effect that comes with war as it so severely impacts the national and thus state budgets, which ultimately impact those who the most vulnerable in our society. I vacillate between despair and anger. This is how I would describe "exile"this year - do not doubt I am alone in this struggle, while I also know that others of us might describe our "exile" as being unemployed, dealing with health issues or grieving the loss of someone we dearly love.

As I began the process of my sermon preparation with a sense of despair in my heart, I was incredibly thankful when I realized that the lectionary passage was from Isaiah. The voice of the prophet Isaiah (especially when put to song by Handel) came bursting forth into my growing sense of separation! The powerful message of Advent and Christmas can uncover a sometimes-dusty-faith that gets lost in the attic of despair and hopelessness. Isaiah sings a song of comfort and hope as he extends an invitation on God's behalf to renew our faith in the one who gives us birth. It can help us rise our hearts and minds above the chaos and fear while we stand on the promises of God. But comfort is not the only word that comes from God through the prophet Isaiah and the birth of Christ; it is also about call. The valleys that will be raised and the rough places smoothed over - that is our task. We are to prepare the way so that God can enter.

I so appreciate these words from Joseph E. McCabe from his book: Handel's Messiah: A Devotional Commentary:

"Into the wilderness of our hearts, and into the desert of our despair, someone is coming. Where he comes, and where he is received, there comes also the high calling to make straight in all the deserts of the world a highway for our God. He lays that task upon us. He who comforts us is he who thrusts us into the desert, for kingdom-building. We who are forgiven are charged with the task of transforming the desert of this weary world and make it blossom and rejoice."
(Joseph E. McCabe)

Isaiah breaks into the silence of our exiles and boldly sings of comfort and call, two sides of our great faith.

This morning I want to invite you to turn in your pew Bibles to Isaiah 40:1-11 and read along as we listen to a piece from Handel's Messiah performed by the Academy and Chorus of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. I encourage you to listen to what the soloist does with his voice as he paints a picture of Isaiah's words. And I invite you to listen for both the comfort and the call of God.

(CD of Handel's No. 2 Recitative and Air tenor: Comfort ye my people)