A Weary World Rejoices

I love a good "song story," and O Holy Night does not disappoint.

The lyrics, written by a poet whose church attendance was lacking, later became an atheist—the music composed by a Jewish man who did not celebrate the birth of Jesus. Later, during the civil war, the song made its way to America, and the lyrics were sung in the north and south declaring, "Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother. His law is love, and his gospel is peace."

 During the French and Prussian war, the legend has it that this song would cease fighting for 24 hours on Christmas eve and Christmas Day when a brave young soldier stood to his feet in the middle of the fighting and declared, "O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining, it is the night of our dear Saviors birth." Later, during the invention of a generator allowing voice waves to be heard over the airways, O Holy Night would be the first song heard on the radio. Soldiers on ships declared it a Christmas miracle.

 And for me—simple, no one, me. It is this line in 2020 that stops me in my tracks. "A thrill of hope a weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn." At the end of a year quite like no other year before, I realize that

Hope is what we do.

Hope is who we are.

Hope is revealed in our love for one another.

Hope is Jesus, a baby in a manger, and the Savior of the world.

This is hope.

This is why we keep going in the middle of a pandemic world where sickness and dying are all around.

This is why we choose to love our neighbors as ourselves.

This is why we celebrate at a time when it seems odd to celebrate.

This is why we hope.

This is thrilling—hope.

This is how a weary world can rejoice—hope.

This is now—a new and glorious morn is coming.

All is not lost, friends.

All is not wasted.

All did not leave us wanting because ALL of this can turn around.

All is bringing a new day, a new year, a new hope.

All is right because we have hope.

Hope is God revealing himself in what intends to tear us apart.

Hope is not for the faint of heart but for those who dare to anticipate new possibilities.

Hope is dreaming, wishing, and faith.

Hope is the courage to expect the new and trust in a God who is full of opportunity.

This is revolutionary.

This is daring.

This is justice that rolls on like a river.

This is healing.

This is unity.

This is peace.

This is the love of neighbor.

This is God.

This is HOPE.