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A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices…
During the Christmas season, we constantly hear the word hope. But what does hope mean to you? What kind of hope are you seeking? What makes you feel hopeful?
Perhaps, you’re a student that sees the light at the end of the tunnel. The hope of graduation is just a semester, a class, a paper, an exam away, and you’re ready to embark on a new adventure.
Maybe the phone finally rings, and after six months of being without work, you finally have the hope of an interview and the prospect of a job.
You wake up rested and realize that your six-month-old baby slept through the night for the first time. The hope of restful nights to come give you the extra energy you need to make it through the day.
The scans finally come back clear, and after a two-year battle with cancer, the hope that you are cancer-free brings a sigh of relief and new dreams for your life.
It is amazing what happens when human beings experience hope. It is a thrill when it happens today, and it was a thrill when it happened more than 2,000 years ago.
After 400 years of silence, God finally spoke to his people through the cry of a little baby named Jesus. In a field nearby that little manger, shepherds tended their sheep. Crooks in hand, they watched over their flocks late into the night, ready to protect them from any beast or man that might threaten them. Suddenly, the black night sky burst with a brilliant light that caused the shepherds to cover their faces. Their hearts raced, and they fell to their knees in fear, unable to protect themselves or their sheep. Blinding light surrounded them, but the comforting voice of an angel filled the air:
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” The shepherds’ fear melted into celebration at this miraculous news. The hope of a Savior lay in a manger nearby, and they were going to see him!
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 it's worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
There are many things for which to be hopeful, but perhaps the greatest is a baby born in the town of Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago.
As we approach Christmas, remember again the thrill of hope found in Jesus Christ. May He be every bit as exciting to you today as He was to the shepherds when He was born.
