“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).
There is a story of a man who looked up at the heavens and said, “Dear God, there is so much pain and anguish in Your world; why don’t You send help?” And God answered, “I did send help -- I sent My Son and they crucified Him. Now I am sending you in the power of My Spirit to make a difference and to ease the pain and anguish you encounter.”
-- Unknown
#5297
In December 1948 Prince Charles was baptized in Buckingham Palace. The following day the first pictures of the royal baby and heir apparent were released to the public. One of the most popular photos showed the royal family, including parents and grandparents, gathered around the little prince, gazing at him. The caption underneath was: “All eyes on the Baby.”…
This Christmas, and throughout the coming year, we have every reason for optimism. In all the weariness of life write this caption underneath your life: “All eyes on the Baby… the Baby Jesus.” He came the first time in a cradle as a Savior to bring the light of salvation, life, and forgiveness. He is coming again wearing a crown, as Sovereign, as Prince of Peace, to take over and make everything right forever. Whatever you do this Christmas, don’t miss the joy!
In dismay -- looking at the current situation of the ongoing pandemic -- some might say, “Look what the world has come to.” In delight -- looking at the Son who was given -- we can say, “Look Who has come to the world” and “look Who is coming again.”
That’s more than enough to shine light into every heart and saturate every mind with joy in a weary world.
-- Adapted from an article by Mark L. Hitchcock entitled “A Weary World Rejoices”
#5249
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)
If you’ve ever been caught in a powerful storm, you know that chaos reigns… Swirling winds and flying debris. Chaos. This is what storms produce. Not just the ones that form in the sky, but also the ones that form in our lives…
Can you relate? Are you caught in a storm of your own right now? Do you find that shifting emotional winds have you leaning first one way and then another? Have you been coldcocked by flying debris? Have things become so confusing that you don’t even know what’s right anymore? And are you so weary of it all that you almost don’t even care? If so, remember that our Lord’s words can bring order out of chaos….
Right now, before the storm batters you another day, I urge you to cast your lot with the psalmist, who said, “I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in His word.” (Psalm 130:5)
His words calm storms.
-- Mark Atteberry in “Free Refill: Coming Back for More of Jesus”
#5011
"A thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn." (“O Holy Night” by Placide Cappeau)
This classic carol captures the harshness and hope that collide every Christmas, especially in 2020. The world is weary. As the nights grew longer, we were feeling our way to the end of an unprecedented year. The typical comforts and joys of the season were elusive. And the sorrows we already carried became a little harder to bear.
Yet into that darkness, a bright light has dawned: Christ has come. God breaks into our weariness and sorrow with the light of His Son, Jesus Christ.
The story of Christmas is the story of people in darkness finding light, of weary people finding hope, of grieving people finding reason to rejoice.
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5)
-- Covenant Life Church, Gaithersburg, Maryland
#5001
"The stars are brightly shining / It is the night of our dear Savior's birth / Long lay the world in sin and error pining / Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth / The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices / For yonder brinks a new and glorious morn / Fall on your knees / O hear the angel voices / O night divine / O night when Christ was born / O night divine / O night, O night divine." (“O Holy Night” by Placide Cappeau)
Jesus entered into a world with political strife, economic uncertainty, chaotic rulership, oppressive government, high taxes and an environment of marginalizing the weak. In other words, Jesus entered into a very weary world. And yet, despite it all, His birth gave an opportunity for rejoicing for all who received it.
Likewise, we live in a very weary world; 2020 has been hard on almost everyone. And looking ahead to 2021 it doesn’t appear that things will get magically better! And still we have reason to rejoice because of Jesus bringing a thrill of hope to our weary world.
-- Dave Warner, Engage Newark
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