“A Thrill of Hope, the Weary World Rejoices”

Every Christmas season for the past few years, I have loved the song “O Holy Night.” Growing up, I always thought of it as the “Home Alone” church scene song. While, yes it totally is that song, it is so much more! As I’ve gotten older, I think I’m starting to really understand the words a bit deeper. It is such a beautiful tribute of love and admiration for our Savior Jesus Christ and His birth, and it is so applicable to us today.

“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!”

The last couple years have been pretty intense for everyone, but these lyrics bring so much joy and hope. They help me reflect on Christ’s influence on the world and on me. Imagine being a shepherd or a wise man and learning that Jesus Christ was born, just as God promised He would be! What a miracle to see evidence that God keeps His promises and that He loves us enough to send us a Savior! Talk about experiencing a “thrill of hope!” I know it’s cheesy, but the popular phrase: “wise men still seek Him” really rings true to me. That thrill of hope wasn’t just reserved for the people who lived during Christ’s time. That thrill is available to every single person to ever exist, and I know when I put forth the effort to seek Him, I experience that thrill stronger than ever.

The weary world rejoiced in Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago, and we can still rejoice in Him today. Because of Him, we can have Eternal Life. Because of Him, we are free of death and sin. Because of Him, we can become the best version of ourselves.

I know I’m not the only one who has felt weary or rundown. Life wasn’t meant to be easy. Some days I go to bed weary and wake up weary (especially when my baby decides to throw a nursing party at 2 a.m.), but that weariness can be replaced with hope and rejoicing because of Him. As President Russell M. Nelson said, “the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”

We wish others a “Merry Christmas” because the news of Christ’s birth is merry! We sing “Joy to the World” because the Lord is come!

If you’re feeling weary this season, pour out your heart to your Father in Heaven. He is aware of you and loves you perfectly. He won’t leave you comfortless. As you seek to make Jesus Christ the focus of your life, He will fill your life with purpose and you will be able to fully rejoice in a “new and glorious morn.”