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It’s Christmas season and carols are being played and sung all over the place. What’s your favourite Christmas carol? My favourite is “O Holy Night”. Its lyrics and music are beautiful.
This carol was first sung in France in 1847 amidst some controversy, as the lyrics were written by an atheist and the music composed by a Jew. However, it seems the controversy was quickly forgotten as the song gained popularity. For me, the lyrics which resonate most are, “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices”.
So at the end of 2023, in a world weary from loss, fear, war, conflict and effects of sin, how might we rejoice?
On that first Christmas, 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born in a time weary with suffering. It was a time of occupation. And yet, from that very moment, while nothing seems to have changed externally, everything had changed eternally. God had entered into our world, bringing a thrill of hope, despite the weariness.
You don’t often associate the words “weariness” and “rejoicing”. It feels strange for weary people to rejoice, and that’s why the lyrics are so powerful.
Christmas reminds us that despite the weariness and mess of our world, God has not abandoned us. He is with us as Immanuel, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counsellor, Light in the darkness. That is something worth rejoicing in, despite our weariness, don’t you think? A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.
Has the weariness of the world this year caused you to forget the hope that we still have in Christ? Can I invite you to reflect on the gift on offer this season? The invitation to rejoice because of the thrill of hope that we have in Christ. And can I invite you to invite others to join in the rejoicing too.
What might spark this rejoicing for you? What might illuminate hope in a space of darkness?
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light,” Isaiah declares (Isaiah 9:2).
Christ will one day make all things new, bringing ultimate peace in our hearts, relationships and our world.
As 2023 draws to a close, thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement. Thank you for being part of our diocesan family and for the way you have brought hope and joy to the weary this year through holding onto hope and serving others in the name of Christ.
As we prepare for Christmas, may Christ, the living hope, bring true joy and real peace afresh in our hearts, homes and communities.
Have a joy-filled Christmas and a New Year full of hope.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
It’s Christmas season and carols are being played and sung all over the place. What’s your favourite Christmas carol? My favourite is “O Holy Night”. Its lyrics and music are beautiful.
This carol was first sung in France in 1847 amidst some controversy, as the lyrics were written by an atheist and the music composed by a Jew. However, it seems the controversy was quickly forgotten as the song gained popularity. For me, the lyrics which resonate most are, “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices”.
So at the end of 2023, in a world weary from loss, fear, war, conflict and effects of sin, how might we rejoice?
On that first Christmas, 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born in a time weary with suffering. It was a time of occupation. And yet, from that very moment, while nothing seems to have changed externally, everything had changed eternally. God had entered into our world, bringing a thrill of hope, despite the weariness.
You don’t often associate the words “weariness” and “rejoicing”. It feels strange for weary people to rejoice, and that’s why the lyrics are so powerful.
Christmas reminds us that despite the weariness and mess of our world, God has not abandoned us. He is with us as Immanuel, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counsellor, Light in the darkness. That is something worth rejoicing in, despite our weariness, don’t you think? A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.
Has the weariness of the world this year caused you to forget the hope that we still have in Christ? Can I invite you to reflect on the gift on offer this season? The invitation to rejoice because of the thrill of hope that we have in Christ. And can I invite you to invite others to join in the rejoicing too.
What might spark this rejoicing for you? What might illuminate hope in a space of darkness?
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light,” Isaiah declares (Isaiah 9:2).
Christ will one day make all things new, bringing ultimate peace in our hearts, relationships and our world.
As 2023 draws to a close, thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement. Thank you for being part of our diocesan family and for the way you have brought hope and joy to the weary this year through holding onto hope and serving others in the name of Christ.
As we prepare for Christmas, may Christ, the living hope, bring true joy and real peace afresh in our hearts, homes and communities.
Have a joy-filled Christmas and a New Year full of hope.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
