1st December

O Holy Night

‘A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn’

Written by Frances Beards

Advent provides a time for reflection as we wait for Christmas Eve, and the subsequent ‘new and glorious morn’. O Holy Night has been voted the nation’s favourite carol for several consecutive years, and the line I am considering reminds us of the hope we can have of a better world, a world with God’s love. Although the words of the carol were written in 1843, the image of a ‘weary world’ longing for a change is still very real today. When the world seems overwhelmed with weariness, corrupt and damaged beyond anything we can imagine being able to improve; when we see the effects of conflict, injustice and poverty in our communities, and our lack of respect for creation, hope for change and a new life can seem out of reach.

At Christmas we celebrate God’s gift of His Son, Jesus, and this gift is our hope. We have the hope of redemption and new life through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This redemption is surely the ‘new and glorious morn’ which provides us with a ‘thrill of hope’, causing the ‘weary world’ to ‘rejoice’.

The image of Christmas Eve, a peaceful night with light shining from beyond the stars, allows us to feel the tenderness and love of God’s gift. We are touched by the God who shares in the joys and sufferings of creation. It’s a reminder that God can use us to restore a world ruled by justice, mercy and peace, following the example of Jesus in our lives, not only at Christmas but throughout the year.