“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all compassion and the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
It was a perfect and beautiful world our loving God first created. Before even a few chapters had passed, however, humanity had stooped to its own will and had left that sacred path of obedience and trust that kept them in communion with the God Who made them. With our fall away from His perfection came all the brokenness you would expect in a shattered world… all the brokenness we still find today—no aspect of life untouched by its reach.
But this was not to be the end of the story; for God was making a plan… a plan of redemption and renewal, of healing and hope.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5
Did you hear those first words?
“But God.”
All our stories hinge on the words of that profound turning phrase…
We were held captive by the sin whose cruel mastery we chose… but God made a plan to pay its ransom Himself. We were broken, and subsequently all of Creation was, too… but God was already crafting His merciful restoration. Our souls were buried in our shame… so much so, that we actually tried to hide from the presence of the God that made us… but God would come as our Comforter.
“I, even I, am He Who comforts you.” Isaiah 51:12
Hiding in Eden’s garden, that first day after sin entered the world, Adam and Eve would hear that merciful voice calling to them… their God coming to draw them back into His presence, taking upon Himself all the burden of atonement and reconciliation: “a Father of all compassion, a God of all comfort” wrapping them into the covering embrace of His love yet again.
This was only the first hint of that profound story of love yet to follow in the millennia to come.
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“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” (excerpt)
God rest ye merry, gentlemen; let nothing you dismay.
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day…
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
“Fear not,” then said the angel, “Let nothing you affright;
This day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him from evil’s power and might.”
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood, each other now embrace.
This holy tide of Christmas resounds with truth and grace.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
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Wherever you find yourself, in whatever season or circumstance, there is no depth beyond the reach of the transfiguring hope of “but God…” The God of all comfort is as near as the breath we breathe, as we call His name in holy expectation.
