Today's Readings: Isaiah 2:1–5; Psalm 122; Luke 21:25–33
“The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices” is a line from one of my favorite Christmas hymns, O Holy Night. This hymn details the biblical events surrounding Jesus’s birth, examining the physical setting of around his birth: at night, under a star, the baby placed in a manger. The hymn additionally highlights the anticipatory atmosphere this child’s birth created within a sinful and tired world. Since the fall of Adam, creation had been eagerly waiting and praying for the promised Messiah, the glory of God revealed through His Son’s appearance. The time had come. It was finally here. The hope was soon to be realized in the birth of a King.
The hope of the world was placed on this little baby boy, but what was this hope? What was He going to do? First, He was to come into the world to live among us, just as we lived. He would love and serve others. He would praise His Father with His words and actions. When it was time, Jesus began His earthly ministry, which concluded with His suffering, death on the cross, and then the resurrection following three days later. He lived out the will of His Father in complete obedience from His conception to His death. The hope, gained by the world at the time of Jesus’s birth and at the time of His resurrection, is the hope we have until He comes once again. The thrill is not knowing when He’ll return but knowing this promise is true. In Luke 21:25-33, Jesus tells us He will return to redeem His followers and creation. There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. The weary world will know His time is near. Our hope will then be fulfilled when Jesus comes again. We will witness His power and great glory. We will know all we have suffered is for naught. Our redemption is here. The thrill of hope is knowing who was once a baby boy is now the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
