Carols - O Holy Night

A Weary World and the Thrill of Hope

December 1 - 8

The Christmas season is one of the hardest times of the year for many.  It is a time when we are faced with the brokenness of relationships, or loved ones who are no longer with us.  There is so much hope in the carols that we sing.  However, they have become so familiar to us that we often miss the message that is contained within them, so this season we will be examining the some of the most popular carols that we sing.

O Holy Night is the first carol in this series.  In this carol we will examine the fact that Jesus enters into a weary world full of sin to bring the hope of restoration.  The world today also needs this message and the power of God in Christ Jesus to bring hope even to the most desperate.  In the book of Isaiah, the prophet foretells that the Messiah would be sent to bring good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners (Isaiah 61:1).  Jesus confirms this by His own words in Matthew 11:28-30, when He calls the weary and burdened to come to Him and He will give them rest.

The Scripture for this week is Luke 2:22-38, which recounts the story of several faithful servants of God who were waiting for the promised Messiah.  The situation in Israel was bleak.  There had not been a prophet for hundreds of years, they were under the oppression of Herod and poverty and despair were common.  I have been out in the streets several times over the last few days and I see a similar despair in the eyes of those around us today.  It is clear to me that the need for hope is just as prevalent today as when Jesus came to deliver hope and was found in a manger.  Jesus accomplished that for which He came and has delivered hope for all of us who believe.  Which makes me think of the following Scripture:

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 

I challenge all of us this Christmas season to comfort all of those around us who are afflicted, weary, burdened and in need.  Will you pray with me that the Lord would open our eyes to the needs of those around us and give us the courage to be God's instrument of grace and love in their lives?

May the Lord be with you all!!!!

Geoff

Please feel free to comment, but I would especially love to hear stories in which you have been able to comfort those in need.