"Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Til 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…
It’s hard to believe Christmas 2024 is already past, yet here we are.
Yet for many of us here and around the globe, the Christmas season is still in full swing. I hope everyone had the happiest Christmas day, with family, presents, and lots of strong coffee. But as an adult with a little life experience, I know some of us just fought to make it through the season.
I have friends who feel this deeply right now. Recent losses, along with illness, have been difficult to bear and weigh even heavier during the holidays. Sometimes just enduring is a huge victory.
Our family is somewhere in the middle this year. Things are good, but we’ve been bothered by sickness since Thanksgiving. Who knew there was an adult version of RSV? And pneumonia with a side of pleurisy has been a literal pain in my side. I shared it with my husband, because I’m generous like that. His double ear infection reminded him of his childhood, but in a lousy way. Our healthy children have avoided this sickness nonsense, thankfully. But we 50-somethings are hobbling into 2025 with antibiotics and albuterol.
Two of my friends and I chatted this week about our recent illnesses and how they have hindered our grand holiday intentions. Then we delved into deeper conversations about real suffering. We discussed the devoted wife who lost her husband, the parents who recently lost a child, and the friend who said goodbye to a parent just weeks before Christmas. We all recognize that loss is part of living in this fallen world, but such grievous loss so close to a notably “cheerful” holiday pierces our hearts even more. Everything in me cannot help but cry out, “It shouldn’t be this way.”
That is one reason why the words in the hymn “O Holy Night” resonate so. Our hearts and souls pine for a world without pain, suffering, and yes, sin. Alas, this is not that world. But our trust rests in the One who came to give us hope beyond this world. If you’re a Christian believer like me, you too have experienced that thrill of hope in Christ that defies weariness. And I don’t mean tired – I mean weary.
In this ordinary world, weariness and rejoicing exist together about as well as oil and water. Christ is the difference maker. We can feel grueling weariness, while still experiencing circumstance-defying hope, because there is a hope that is not of this world. It is in Christ – who has overcome this world.
In Christ, there is the promise of a new and glorious morning. It may not be tomorrow, but it is assured. In Christ, we have the guarantee that we will not always be weary, or sick, or despondent, or pining for something we cannot obtain. In Him lie all the promises. We can still rejoice in Him when we cannot rejoice in this world. Because of Him, one day we will live in a world full of unending joy, complete safety, fulfilled desires, and the eternal presence of God.
The challenge is living in this world of the “not yet.” Hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12a) and it’s challenging for us mortals to hold fast to the assurances not yet seen. The Lord knows that we are forgetful creatures and pledges to us repeatedly in His Word that He is faithful to His promises. It is amid weariness and disillusionment that we must cling to His faithfulness, rather than our inability to see clearly from our earthly vantage point.
This Christmas season, Jesus’ words in John 16:33 may best sum up the reason we can rejoice despite weariness: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
May the Lord be with you all as we bid farewell to 2024 and welcome the new year.
Kristin Landers is a substitute teacher and freelance writer. Landers’ previous work includes serving as Communications Director for the Alabama Policy Institute and working for Citizens Against a Legalized Lottery (CALL) to defeat legalized gambling in the state of Alabama.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819News.com.
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