Day 10: Comfort One Another

On the tenth day of Christmas,

the Lord God said to me,

“Comfort one another.”

 

Reflect

Have you ever wondered what you should do to comfort someone and worried that you might do the wrong thing and then not done anything at all because you just weren’t sure what the “right” thing to do would be and you worried that the whole experience would just be awkward? I have. But I would like to encourage you to put any angst you may have aside. Do something. Be present. Say something. Listen. Hug. It may not come out perfectly, it may not be the absolutely perfect thing, but it is something. In doing or saying or being or listening or hugging, you are telling that other person that you love them and you are in it with them. You don’t have to fix it to be helpful. Just establishing that connection is something and is comforting.

On the flip side, ask for and be vulnerable enough to accept comfort. I’m not very good at this. I can squirm a little about whether I’m giving someone what he or she need, but offering comfort comes much more easily to me than accepting it or asking for it from a friend or God. But we can all use a little help and each of those times when we become vulnerable, we open ourselves to the opportunity of deepening friendships with each other and with God.

 

Think

1. When have you missed the opportunity to offer comfort to a family, friend, or neighbor? What stopped you?
2. What does scripture say about comforting others? Why is offering comfort important?

 

Do

Comforting with Love: We each appreciate different expressions of love. Maybe you especially appreciate thoughtful gifts, but your youngest child really enjoys verbal praise, or your spouse may feel particularly loved when a certain chore is done a specific way. Talk with your family about what makes them feel loved, comforted, or appreciated. Store that information in your heart so that the next time you offer comfort to each other, you can offer it in the way that feels best to them.

 

Sing

God brought comfort to the whole world with the birth of the Baby Jesus.

 

(“What Child is This?” Andrea Bocelli and Mary J. Blige)

 

Sing along with the ten verses of our “12 Days of Christmas” song.

 

Pray

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the ways you comfort my heart with the love of Jesus. Help me to be your love in the world—especially when I comfort those I love. Wrap your arms around my family and friends, and help them to understand that they are loved beyond measure—by you and by me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

 

Dig Deeper

God knows that life can be hard, and that we need encouragement and comfort. The Bible offers us so many passages about comfort. Read and reflect on the following verses:

Old Testament Readings: Isaiah 40:1; Psalm 23:4; Psalm 147:3

New Testament Readings: Romans 12:15; Matthew 11:28; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; 2 Corinthians 2:5-7; Philippians 2:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

 

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How have the twelve days of Christmas been a comfort to you this year?