"A Thrill of Hope"

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 356: Today, I am grateful for "a thrill of hope."

What do you hope for this Christmas? 

This image struck me. I love all things related to "light." In fact, "light" might be my "one little word" for 2025. Then, the words struck a chord. "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices." 

The line is straight from the song, "O Holy Night." I have confessed that I have come late to loving this song, but I have finally arrived. 

It is a powerful song, but gentle.  It somehow captures all that was holy about the night of Jesus's birth. Originally in French,"Cantique de Noël" was written by poet Placide Cappeau in 1847 and set to music by composer Adolphe Adam. The poem is straight out of the Gospel of Luke.  

The most popular English rendition was a translation by John Sullivan Dwight in 1855. 

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.
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!
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!

The original French translated:

To erase the original stain

And to stop his father's wrath:

The whole world trembles with hope

To this night which gives it a savior

People on their knees, await your deliverance

It is as if the song calls for the soul to wake up and recognize the wonder, the hope, and the holy all at the same time. The anticipation builds. Dare we hope for reconciliation and propitiation? 

We can. Hope is thrilling. We tingle with anticipation. Our senses are on high alert. 

In the wholly chaotic Christmas season, do not forget the holy. Pause to ponder the thrill of hope that still waits in a humble manger for an invitation to be Lord of your life. 

Today, I am grateful for "a thrill of hope."

The Census

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 355: Today, I am grateful for the census. 

If you have ever explored genealogy, you spend time in census records. They are quite telling about where people lived, how they lived, and who their neighbors were at the time. The once boring records become quite interesting 50-200 years later.  

For prophecy to be fulfilled, Jesus needed to be born in Bethlehem. I think it fascinating when God uses people in unexpected places to put His plan in motion. 

"At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire." -Luke 2:1 

Augustus made the declaration. Joseph and Mary made the trip. 

The little town of Bethlehem experienced the miracle. The timing was unexpected. The order was from the government, not the church. It all came together as God intended. Something as boring as a census can reveal far more than the number of people who live in the town. 

Today, I am grateful for the census.

The Path of Peace

 

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 354: Today, I am grateful for the way of peace.

The phrase "don't upset the apple cart" is to change people's plans or expectations in a way that they don't expect and don't appreciate. Thus was the situation for those who would not or could not see the Messiah being born in a stable unfit for a king. 

Unfit or the perfect fit? 

God's ways often include a pause. A waiting space in an unusual place is often part of His plan. His ways are not our ways.  He is predictably unpredictable. 

Zechariah's prophecy came when Mary was with him (and Elizabeth). His state of muteness was lifted and the prophecy came. 

"You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” -Luke 1:77-79

The "Morning Light"... the "Dayspring"... the "Dawn"... or "the Light from Heaven" are one and the same. Finally, the Hope of the World had arrived. His first earthly heartbeat was in the womb. His first human breath was in a stable. 

"He humbled himself in obedience to God..." -Philippians 2:8  

It was the way of the manger before it was the way of the cross.  

Going back to the Hebrew and Greek (with the assistance of Strong's and Thayer's Greek Lexicon), there is a conception distinctly peculiar to Christianity: "the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is." Blessed assurance! 

It is "the path of" or "the way of peace."  The way of peace is the absolute knowledge that nothing this life brings can separate us from the love of God. 

Today, I am grateful for the way of peace.

Promises Kept

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 353: Today, I am grateful for promises kept.

Integrity matters. It always has. It always will. Truth is not always popular, but it always withstands the light. Truth is a light. 

Why come as a baby? Why come at all? How is it that the long expected Savior came in such an unexpected way? That is all part of the wonder of it all. 

He said he would come, and He did. To be redeemed is to be free. There is a finality about it. When you redeem a coupon, it is done. Used up. Finished. 

 “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago." Luke 1:68-70

A king came as a baby fulfilling a promise and countless prophecies from the Old Testament. For the mathematicians and data loving people, there is evidence of the promise, the plan, and "this, too, shall pass." 

He did what he said he would do. In this we can find hope, joy, and the confidence to face whatever comes our way. 

Today, I am grateful for promises kept.

Grown Up Christmas List

 

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 352: Today, I am grateful for a grown-up Christmas list.

Written by David Foster, Linda Thompson-Jenner and Amy Grant, "Grown Up Christmas List" captures our ear and our heart at the same time.  I know Amy Grant's version the best. 

Her Christmas albums are some of my favorites. This song captures the hope of Christmas. 

"No more lives torn apart
And wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list."

A grown-up Christmas list focuses on what is important, not stuff. This world is full of brokenness, but the Light of the World came so we might know the peace, truth, light, and life that only he can bring. He mends lives that are torn apart. 

"I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace." -Romans 1:7

 Grace and peace are perfect gifts. 

Today, I am grateful for a grown-up Christmas list.

 

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 351: Today, I am grateful Mary pondered. 

I will never lose my sense of awe surrounding the birth of Jesus. The Old Testament was full of prophetic words and signs to look for, but it still moves me when I pause to ponder what it might have been like for Mary, Joseph, and their families. 

When Mary said "yes" and went to her cousin Elizabeth, we have this little glimpse into the excitement that grew as she wrapped her head around her new reality. From shock... to pondering... to an excitement when surrounded by those who knew and believed. 

This is part of what is recorded as "Mary's Song",  

"Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!"" -Luke 1:46-47

The promised Messiah was coming and she would call him "son." From her pregnancy announcement, to Joseph sticking with her, to the trip to Bethlehem, the birth of the baby, and then the shepherds visit - it must have felt like a whirlwind of changes with a roller coaster of emotions. 

Mary was one to "ponder." I love that about her personality. She would take it all in and sit with it. Whatever came her way. Her strength of faith and the depth of her character were evident. I cannot help but smile when I read this passage. 

"But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart." -Luke 2:19

Today, I am grateful Mary pondered. 

The Star

 

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 350: Today, I am grateful for the star.

Stars are fireballs in the sky. They have fascinated humans since the beginning of time. Each one has a place of its own in the night sky. They have helped guide and direct human travel... and they help us find our way in the dark. 

Our little blue planet takes light and heat from the star we know as the sun. The Son, Jesus, is referred to as "The Light of the World." His life, light, and warmth changes lives. In the past, in the present, and in the days to come... His light guides us and gives us life. 

"The same God that placed that star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others, but warm them as well." - N. A. Maxwell 

The royal astrologers from the east asked this questions of Herod:

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” -Luke 2:2

They saw the star and recognized it as special. They followed it, expecting a royal baby to live in a palace. They knew the prophecy and the stars. They followed the star and made their way to find the newborn King. 

The magi did not mean to incite Herod's anger, but wisely recognized it. They did not return to tell King Herod where they found the baby. They would surely return home with an adventure story to tell. 

The wonders of the night sky never cease to create wonder, amazement, and joy. To think our God knows their number and can call them by name without one missing or being left out makes me smile. 

There are so many stars... and then there is "His star." 

Today, I am grateful for the star.