The Thrill of Hope

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Andy Stanley preached about the thrill of hope. I have heard and sung "O Holy Night" countless times, but I had never paid attention to that short phrase.

Long lay the world
In sin and error pining
Till He appeared
And the soul felt its worth
The thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices . . .

Although I had never really noticed those words before, I immediately had a memory of what Christmas was like as a kid. I waited anxiously for weeks, hoping to get just what I wanted. I knew Santa was going to come every year, but I never quite knew what would be under the tree when I got up Christmas morning (and in our house, I use "morning" very lightly since it was always LONG before dawn!). Would it be something amazing? Would I be disappointed? Would the long-awaited present be worth the patient hoping and dreaming?

This year, for the first time, I thought about those Old Testament people -- not just the "famous" ones like Noah and the prophets and judges, but the individuals who lived day to day with the promise of a Messiah. They waited and prayed and hoped and most of them didn't see that hope fulfilled. But they trusted that God would deliver . . . and deliver He did!

But the delivery wasn't something that anyone could have imagined: a tiny baby in a dirty stable with a dysfunctional family (maybe they could have been "normal" until that whole pregnant virgin thing happened). It's a reminder to me that God knows best and that He has a plan even when a dream may smell like a barn.

This Christmas season has been so meaningful. In addition to loving on baby Knox every chance we got, we did all the traditional things -- shopping, exchanging presents, eating lots of sweets, making cookies with Paige and Laura (and sweet Autumn this year!), and now getting ready to go to Laurel's for the big family feast. More than that, though, I listened to the Christmas carols. Not just sang along but actually paid attention to the words.

The thrill of hope

Comfort and joy

Heavenly peace

Joy to the world

Born that man no more may die

Light and life to all He brings

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight

So many phrases in dozens or even hundreds of Christmas carols . . . Listen to them. Think about them. Sing them. And trust in the hope of our Savior.

Merry Christmas!