a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

This year, our Christmas card's heading was "a thrill of HOPE the weary world REJOICES!"

Can I get an amen?

I don't know what it is about this year, but I have been brought to tears on numerous occasions, listening to the lyrics of Christmas carols that I have heard for the past 27 years.  I think that this year, my heart has been penetrated in a new way to the earth shattering meaning of these hymns.  Our world is so weary.  But we can REJOICE because our Savior has come.

"hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king. peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."  God and sinners reconciled.  God and sinners reconciled.  How beautiful it is that we can be reconciled with a holy God.  That he loves me enough to send his son into this world to be born in the dirt.  I am not worthy, but HE is.

I think one of the most beautiful Christmas carols is 'O Holy Night'.  It was impossible for me to hear this song, especially the instrumental version, and not get choked up with thanksgiving.  Hearing a familiar song without it's lyrics makes me meditate on the words and think about the magnitude of what it's saying.

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 angel voices
O night divine!
O night when Christ was born
O night divine!
O night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother.

And in His name, all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord!
Their name forever praise we

Noel, Noel
O night, O night divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O night divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O holy night

"truly He taught us to love one another. His law is love and his gospel is peace." We need this more today than ever.  The world around us values love and even sings about how love is all you need.  It's not.  The gospel is all you need.  His law is love, and his gospel is peace.  That's what we need.

Do you feel this way?  Are you moved by the glorious mystery that came in the form of a baby boy in a manger?  My goodness, it has wrecked me in the most beautiful way this year.

Merry Christmas, friends.