by 
Monday, December 5
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices!
From O Holy Night
By Marilyn W.
Christmas – rush, rush!!! Is the shopping done? What about the decorations? The children are in a school program. There are basketball games, Christmas concerts, holiday parties, baking, cleaning, etc., etc. The extended family will be here this weekend. WHOA!!! STOP!!!
The meaning of this season – think about it. Meditate on the journey of Mary and Joseph, the birth of the son of God, the shepherds in the fields, the star. Stare at your favorite angel on the Christmas tree. Listen to Christmas carols and concentrate on the words.
O Holy Night was written in the early 1800s. The things that caused those people to be weary were different from now, but how easy it is to get caught up in those things that keep us from focusing on our Lord no matter what year, or time of year, it is. We live in a weary world, especially at this time of year, But we need to focus on this “thrill of hope” – hope brought to us as a baby in a manger – and rejoice.
The next line in O Holy Night is “for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.” With our Savior the main focus of our lives, we can awake every day to the promise of “a new and glorious morn.” That doesn’t mean we won’t get physically weary with activities, but our attitude will be joyfully on the reason for this Christmas celebration – the birth of Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord, help me to focus on “the thrill of hope” and awaking each day to “a new and glorious morn.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
