A Thrill of Hope

by Pastor Dave

“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn” -From O Holy Night

Our world seems to be weary from the stress, anxiety, and fear of what is happening and what might happen next. If you spend any time watching the news, it can literally wear you out.

What is the thrill of hope that this song is talking about? John 1:14, “ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father full of grace and truth.”

Jesus is the thrill of hope! Not hope as the world understands that something might happen, but the assurance of faith that it will happen. When we put our faith and hope in Jesus Christ, everything changes! Yonder breaks! A new and glorious morn!

What if Jesus had not come? There would be no hope! No joy! No salvation! No eternal life! No grace!

That is what it is like for those who don’t know Jesus. They are part of the weary world but haven’t begun to rejoice yet. There is no understanding of the thrill of hope! No one has told them of the new and glorious morn!

This year, as we enter 2025, I want to challenge our church to make it a mission/goal to tell others of this amazing life-changing God who came to redeem His people! Don’t be shy or feel like you don’t know enough. All that needs to be known is that Jesus came as a baby, lived a perfect life, gave his life on the cross, rose from the dead, and now offers eternal life to all who will believe!

Let's do this together and see what God does in this new and glorious morn(year)! O Holy Night ends with this phrase that proclaims who Jesus is and our response:

“Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!

His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!