O Holy Night

Last night, Christmas was lovely.  Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, in-laws, and friends all crowded around the table catching up on the present and remembering the past.  Then it was onto a trailer full of hay for the annual carol ride through town.   Everything was smiles, hugs, photos, songs, and great anticipation of the quickly approaching celebration.  But this morning, Christmas is different.  One of my girls is sick, and another almost is.  Faces are pale, tummies are churning, and eyes are sleepy.  We’re not sure what will become of our best-laid plans for holiday travel, and the long list of want-to-do’s for today has devolved into a short list of have-to-do’s for tomorrow. 

In the midst of the mayhem, one phrase from yesterday’s carols keeps rolling around my half-awake mind.  “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”  These words mean more now than they did last night.  It’s a small thing, but it’s made me think.  Our bit of tiredness resulting from a few hours of sickness can never compare to the weariness of a world dealing with centuries of sin.  “Long lay the world in sin and error pining.”  Unable to save ourselves, we were born into doom and despair.  Even the faithful who continually offered the stated sacrifices lived and died knowing that judgment had only been delayed, not dealt with, and that our sins had only been set aside, not settled.  The promised Savior seemed long in coming, and the weight of transgression and wrong shrouded our hearts as a never-lifting fog.

But then a mother groaned, a baby cried, and hope was born.  The weary world lifted her eyes in delight at the coming of a new day.  Thirty three years would pass before a blood-stained cross and an empty tomb shattered sin’s darkness forever, but Easter began at Christmas.  As earth’s long night of sorrow gave way to a sinless dawn, the brightness of its first rays thrilled our hearts and calmed our fears.

Joy to the world!  Christ the Savior is born!  Rejoice greatly and let His love lift you up and give you life this Christmas.  It really was a Holy Night.

“Because of the tender mercy of our God, the Sunrise from on High will come to us from heaven, to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”  Luke 1:78-79

Merry Christmas!