Advent Guide: The Wonder of ChristmasSample

The Thrill of Hope

I have a confession to make. I love Christmas. And in the polarizing debate of when it's too early to start listening to Christmas music, I'm team "as early as possible." In our household, we often pull out the Christmas records and start decorating before we have even packed away our Halloween costumes. After a year of anticipation, we can let our guard down and embrace the hope of the season.

Within the canon of Christmas songs, "O Holy Night" is my favorite. It connects me to that historical truth that the HOPE of all mankind was here in the form of a child. I've always been fixated on the line, "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices."

In this context, a thrill represents a sensation – even a physical response – to an emotion. Most of us understand that on a personal level. But consider a thrill of hope for the whole world – all in a single moment?

It reminds me of another song we find in the New Testament. The book of Luke recounts that shortly after Christ's Birth when He is presented in the temple, Simeon sings a canticle also known as the Nunc Dimmitis:

"for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

These words beautifully capture the moment when Simeon held within his very hands the long-awaited Hope of mankind. Can you imagine what a thrill he must have experienced in that moment? May it be the same with us. I pray in this season we all let our guard down to embrace the long-awaited Hope we have in Christ.

Shawn Spurrier is the Director for Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls®. His favorite thing about the Christmas season is playing Christmas music and decorating "way too early" with his wife and 8-year-old daughter.