The Weary World Rejoices
/
photo courtesy of pexels.com
“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.”
Luke 2:10-11 ESV
Heavy clouds burst from the weight of their moisture, and I hear the splattering of steady raindrops. Outside my window, gray has settled across the atmosphere. Yet as I scan the horizon, flickering tiny lights catch my attention. My neighbor has adorned her balcony with Christmas lights. In the middle of my weariness, my heart remembers that there is a reason for great joy.
When rainy days loom, it’s not too difficult to hold on to hope. We’ve experienced enough cloudy hours to know the sun always shines again. But it’s not easy to cling to hope when darkness infiltrates our hearts and trouble enters our lives. I’ll admit, it’s a real struggle for me to bask in joy when the world around me is crumbling beneath my feet. We all know those times––whether it be illness, loss, rejection, or long days with unanswered prayers.
Perhaps God’s people felt that way before the birth of Christ. The promise was given long ago. Yet in the waiting, heaviness loomed as they wondered when the clouds would break and the blessed Messiah would appear.
Then, out of nowhere, the angels appeared. Surrounded by a magnificent light, they announced the Savior’s birth to outcast shepherds: “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.”
Just like that: the coming of Jesus changed everything!
Sweet soul, is your heart heavy with despair? Have the clouds of unfulfilled hope washed away your joy? This Christmas season, may I remind you (and myself) that the Savior has come. There is no reason to doubt or fear that this current heaviness will not disappear. The promise of hope has been fulfilled. We are living on the other side of it. And this same Savior will fulfill His promise to return to this earth one day and take His children home to be with Him.
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, O holy night, O night divine!
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for fulfilling Your promises. When heaviness threatens to drown me, fill me with Your strength. Remind me that there is always a reason to rejoice in hope. Let joy fill my heart this Christmas season. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ponder
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV
What situation threatens to steal your joy this season? How does the angels’ announcement revive joy and renew hope in your heart?
Oh, Holy Night: Translator: John S. Dwight; Author: Placide Cappeau (1847)
