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.
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."
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