O’ Holy Night is a classic Christmas song however this year the words seem to hit differently. For the last two weeks, I have pondered on the words, “the weary world rejoices.”

This year we have been on a rollercoaster of emotions with the virus continuing to spread, the heightened display of racial inequality, and the continued political strife. Many people are approaching the holidays with an empty chair as a loved one has died this year either from the virus or other ways.

No matter what has come, we can all agree how this year has brought many challenges. Plans shifted. Some small businesses are hanging on by a thread, people are without jobs and some for the first time ever are driving through lines of food banks just to receive necessities to care for their families.

Many find themselves weary and burdened.

This Christmas, I have talked to so many people who opted to put their Christmas decorations up earlier than normal. Many have been looking for some light in the midst of so much darkness.

I have consistently heard people utter the words, “it just doesn’t feel like Christmas.”

We have all experienced a lot. Maybe you find yourself weary this holiday season. Maybe the weight of this pandemic is hitting too close to home or for the first time ever you are spending the holidays alone.

Maybe just maybe the wait looks like it is never-ending.

Can I propose that we can rejoice in the midst of so much uncertainty? Not because of a change in our situations, but we can rejoice in the gift of Jesus Christ. 

As we approach Christmas, let us rejoice in the One who was born during a time of so much chaos; yet was sent to be with us and to nail our sins to the cross. Let us rejoice in the One who has conquered death and the grave. The One who has gifted us with His spirit and invites us to cast our cares on Him.

The One who is Love and encourages us to love others.

The One.

You might be weary, you might be heavy burdened. You might have gone through things that the world has seen or suffered in silence. If we continue to focus on our weariness, we will miss the beauty of this season. This year has been tough but let us not miss Jesus in it all. Let us worship the only One who has kept us this far. Let us be like the shepherds who when they first saw Jesus, they responded in worship. Let it be our example today, despite what it looks like, let us respond to Christmas with a heart of worship.

We can rejoice in O, Holy Night because Christ was born for you and for me.

Rejoice!