I haven’t written much these past several months. And while I miss writing and connecting with those of you kind enough to read my musings, I think it has been a good and necessary break from the noise of my own thoughts and expectations. We’re still navigating change and trying to find our footing, and honestly, we’re a little weary from it all this year.
When I hear others talk about their circumstances and concerns as we round out another year, I think many of us are feeling anxious and weary these days.
Even still, I don’t want my feelings to define Christmas 2021. As the familiar words of “O Holy Night” remind us every Christmas Eve:
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
I came across this quote from Jessica Connolly last week, and I’m still thinking about it: “Hope is a gift FOR us. Not something God needs from us.”
What if hope isn’t something we do but something we receive? What a relief! And, isn’t this what Christmas is? A gift we can choose to reject or receive—of a God who chooses to be with us in our weariness.
Henri Nouwen says it beautifully here:
“Somehow I realized that songs, music, good feelings, beautiful liturgies, nice presents, big dinners, and many sweet words do not make Christmas. Christmas is saying “yes” to something beyond all emotions and feelings. Christmas is saying “yes” to a hope based on God’s initiative, which has nothing to do with what I think or feel. Christmas is believing that the salvation of the world is God’s work and not mine. Things will never look just right or feel just right. If they did, someone would be lying… But it is into this broken world that a child is born who is called Son of the Most High, Prince of Peace, Savior.”
A thrill of hope, the weary world [still] rejoices…
Thanks be to God for the indescribable gift of himself.
Merry Christmas from all of us to you and yours!
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