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 appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name
Adolphe Adam 1847
I love the section that mentions a "thrill of hope" in the previous song lyrics from, Oh Holy Night.
Thrill defined uses the words excite, inspire, delight, exhilarate, stir and electrify. Jesus coming to Earth brings man such excitement because of the hope that He brings.
For hope to exist though unfortunately hopelessness exists as well. A perfect world wouldn't have any need of hope. Freedom from hopelessness arrives undeservedly and perhaps unexpectedly, just as in the unlikely way God came to Earth. Who would have even thought of this entrance into our world...I would have thought of a more royal entrance instead of a virgin birth involving a manger. But our minds and thoughts are in no way like God's. So with that being said; I have no idea of the plans that God has for my life in the future or how all my issues will be resolved, or even what miracles I'll be blessed to see this Christmas. Things can look bleak to us but that's where hope come into play.
The Good News is all about the Hope that was brought in the form of a baby in a manger.
But what I do know is that I have a thrill; an excitement and a delight that my God is in control and that He has given me this gift of hope...that in His timing and in His own ways...He will make things in my life turn around for His good. All I have to be is believe and be faithful that He is out working it all out.
Romans 15:13 is a great Christmas prayer for you: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Adjust That Crown,
Jonna
