The 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 divine, 
O night, O night divine, O holy night

In 1847 a small town wine maker/poet in France (Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure) was asked to pen a poem for the Christmas service.  He spent some time in Luke and put himself in the middle of the nativity and viola, the poem, “Cantique de Noel”.  Mr. Placide then asked his Jewish friend to write a little tune to go with the poem.  Adolphe Charles Adams, didn’t share the same passion for the story behind the lyrics.  Being a Jew, this story about how God became Flesh wasn’t yet his truth, but he was moved by the lyrics and made the music that was used to sing the poem in church three weeks later on Christmas.  The story goes on about how the song was banned and then how an American, John Sullivan Dwight, brought it to america because these words echoed his views of slavery in the south.

“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.”

Back in France, there was this war and this guy sang this song and you can read about all that HERE.

Each year I spend some time reflecting on the year past and looking toward the year ahead.  Re-dedicating my life to the Gospel of Christ and stamping the new year with a word or idea that I will dance around as each day passes.  This year the word came quickly in late November when I pulled out my Christmas music and heard the words,

“A THRILL OF HOPE, A WEARY WORLD REJOICES”

YES!  Exactly my heart!  How thrilling HOPE is, how much my weary soul rejoiced in 2017, even amidst the storm and through the death and around the work and in the moments.  I rejoiced not because I particularity enjoyed the difficulties of 2017 but because I ABIDED and because the HOPE I had was thrilling!

So, much to share about HOPE but I’ll leave you with these three questions and this one thought.  What do you HOPE in?  Is it sure? Does it ever disappoint?

I have determined not to put my hope in anything other then that which is sure and does not disappoint.  IF your hope is not that, then you probably have your hope lines crossed and I’d be happy to help you set them straight!  Stay tuned….

Its about to get THRILLING!