A Thrill Of Hope

What’s your favorite Christmas song?

Most of us have at least one, if not more, favorite Christmas songs. One of my favorites is, “O Holy Night.” As with many seasonal songs, we frequently find ourselves mumbling the words but missing the message.

Recently, I was captured by the words of this verse:

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

While Christmas brings joy to many, it can also be one of the most difficult times for some. The number of reported cases of depression typically rises during the November/December timeframe, and the past couple of years have been extremely difficult for a lot of people. Add to that the number of things we feel we “have” to do this month, and it can be quite exhausting.

If we are not careful, the “thrill of hope” becomes merely the “drill of hope,” and we find ourselves simply going through the motions, and not experiencing the wonder and thrill this season was meant for. Disappointments in life can steal our hope and leave us hopeless. 

A person can live for, maybe, forty days without food, perhaps three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope. 

Hope is essential and extremely powerful.

If you are struggling this season with stress, anxiety, weariness, disappointment, and/or depression, or maybe you’ve just got a case of the “blahs,” let me encourage you to find a quiet place alone, away from the hustle and bustle of holiday activities, and listen for the real reason for this season. 

Before you say, “I know, I know why we celebrate Christmas,” are you just mumbling the words, or do you hear the message? The message that says in the darkest of times hope springs eternal. 

A thrill of hope — believe that in your toughest times, Jesus was born for those times.
The weary world rejoices — as weary as you have become, rejoice, Jesus was born for times just like these.
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn — your night will not last forever. A new and glorious morning will dawn for you because Jesus was born, and He has not forgotten you. 

When the wise men saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they came into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. Matthew 2:10-11

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

During the next few days, if you have to get up a little earlier, or if you have to stay up a little later, find your quiet spot and again experience, “a thrill of hope.”

Still Believing!