Carol: “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People” – Johannes G. Olearius (1611-1684)
Tune: GENEVAN 42
Catherine Winkworth’s translation of this ancient hymn text
grabs me, reminding me that throughout time, God has presented us with signs of
his promises: the rainbow in Noah’s day, the pillar of fire for Moses’ troops, the
covenant with Abraham, and ultimately revealing himself in THE Sign: the Lord
Christ. It is that revelation that we come to celebrate during this season.
The sending of his Son was the ultimate token of his
everlasting promise to the people of Israel. At Bethlehem’s manger, God is
saying, “See. I keep my word. I always do.” On a nearby hillside the angels
echo the sentiment, “Unto you a Savior is (finally) born” – that Savior you’ve
been anticipating since the beginnings of the covenant relationship God had
with the Jewish nation.
This carol is a great versification of Isaiah 40, opening
with the same statement we find there spoken to the prophet by the Lord: “Comfort, comfort ye my people.” In 40:5, we find the text on which my favorite Christmas chorus from MESSIAH is
based: "And the glory of the LORD shall be
revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. For the mouth of
the LORD has spoken it.” It is from THIS passage that today’s hymnline
is lifted; I think you can see the parallels without my going on and on about
them!
These two centuries later, we need to
be reminded of God’s faithfulness; what God says, he will do – eventually,
finally. And even though “Standing on the Promises” is not a song for this
season, that’s exactly what we need to continue to do.
Hear
the Choir of Conrad Grebel College
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