O Holy Night

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth

Long lay the world, in sin and error pining

‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees

O hear the angels’ voices

O night divine

O night when Christ was born

O night divine, O night, O night divine

The words of this carol have been going through my mind ever since hearing it for the first time this Christmas season. How they ring true in a whole new way this year!!

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn

These words, written about a time over 2,000 years ago…sound like a news headline from today. A vaccine is here! Giving hope to this pandemic-ridden weary world that something is coming to save us. That families will soon be reunited and embraced, that sickness and death won’t be all around us, that fear and worry won’t consume us, that rest for our weary souls is near.

And yes…these are wonderful blessings to be restored. But really…in a few months or years…when the pandemic is a distant memory…won’t these things still be all around us? Death and disease, loneliness and emptiness, social injustice, broken homes, fear and worry, longing hearts and weary souls.

Romans 8:20 tells us, “Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay…for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering.”

Oh what a day that will be!!! I can’t even begin to imagine what it will feel like to have a body that works as my perfect creator intended. To know nothing other than joy and peace. To live in perfect harmony with ALL creation. And all of this…for eternity!

Long lay the world, in sin and error pining, ‘till He appeared, and the soul felt it’s worth

Christ came to this broken world to be our source of Hope…a confident trust in something we do not yet have. Something that no amount of earthly gain can ever match. Even the most perfect scenario here on earth…an economy at full steam, bank accounts brimming, families gathered together in good health…ultimately still leaves us with a longing for more…because this world is not our ultimate home. Our world is broken, it has been for a very long time, and we are all in need of a cure for our souls…we are all in need of a Savior. “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

As this year, and possibly soon this pandemic, come to a close, I challenge you to reflect on your spiritual state. Are you trying to find your worth in the things of this world? And has that left you searching for more? Good news…this is a season of Hope!

Lean into the miracle of Christmas. With that same expectancy and faith of a child, dare to believe. “And I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13