As we’ve been counting the days until Christmas 2020, I’ve found that there’s one carol I can’t seem to get out of my head: “O Holy Night”. It’s not a new song, or an uncommon one. But there’s a line I believe captures the spirit of this year, as well as the very meaning of Christmas itself, all in four short words:

The weary world rejoices.

After all, that’s how this season has felt, isn’t it? At the end of a year that’s seemed about a decade long, we’re collectively exhausted. Worn out. Weary. We’ve watched so many holidays and special occasions and even simple day-to-day activities get cancelled, postponed, or moved online, that it feels like Christmas is just one more thing that’s going to be different in 2020. Maybe you’ve even contemplated forgoing the festivities entirely. It’s hard to cut down the tree and string the lights outside and bake your favorite holiday treats with joy in your heart when deep down, it feels like so much is missing.

Over the years, we’ve all sung “O Holy Night” countless times. But until this year, I’d never really paused to reflect on the song’s seemingly lost-in-passing four words – “the weary world rejoices” – or their implications. After all, when Jesus was born under less-than-ideal circumstances 2000 years ago, he was born into a weary world. Since the fall of mankind, beginning with Adam and Eve, the Jewish people had been awaiting their Messiah. They’d experienced slavery, famine, and war; they’d spent years wandering in the desert; they’d endured generations of anxiety and uncertainty as they watched…waited…wondered. When would their King arrive? When would redemption come? When would they, at long last, see a light at the end of a very dark and weary tunnel? 

On the night of ourdear Savior’s birth, He brought with him, as the song says, a thrill of hope. The trials we face today are real. The suffering we experience today is real. But the hope we find in Jesus Christ is also real – and unlike the things of this world, it’s eternal. Scripture reminds us that as believers, we “do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). We know that the sorrows and tribulations of this world will one day pass away, and in their place will be an eternity spent with our Lord.

There is indeed a Light at the end of this dark and weary tunnel. And He, my friend, is why we celebrate Christmas. 

I’ve included the full lyrics to “O Holy Night” below, and I encourage you to find a quiet moment to pause and reflect on these words. Find your favorite version of the song on Spotify or YouTube and sing along if you’d like! And as you do, may you give thanks to God that even in our weary state, we can rejoice at the hope that’s found in Jesus Christ alone. Merry Christmas!

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;

Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born.
O night, O holy night, O night divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming;
With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand:
So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land,
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend;

He knows our need, To our weakness no stranger!
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King! your King! before him bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is Love and His gospel is Peace;
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,
And in his name all oppression shall cease,
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful Chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise his Holy name!

Christ is the Lord, then ever! ever praise we!
His pow’r and glory, evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory, evermore proclaim!