2020—the year that will live on in memory as the year of isolation, disappointment, and anxiety. I remember thinking back in March, “Thank goodness that this isn’t happening at Christmastime.” And yet. Now it is Christmastime, and here we are. Still living separate from those we love. Still wearing masks and missing out on gatherings with those we cherish. Still taking temperatures and using hand sanitizer and following rules and restrictions. This year has felt heavy, and long, and lonely. There has been so much loss, so many missed moments, so many tears. What we thought we’d only have to endure for a few weeks, or maybe a month, has gone on and on and on, and here we are, almost a year later.
And yet. Here we are, still standing. Here we are, still hoping. Here we are, still finding moments of joy, and reasons to love, and laugh, and sing. And into the darkness and frustration and sadness of these past nine months shines a glimmer of hope. A few nights ago, my husband and daughter and I watched in the darkness as the “Christmas Star” shone bright in the night sky, as the planets Jupiter and Saturn aligned in a “great conjunction”, as they passed closer together than they have been in over 800 years and appeared as one large, bright star in the sky. As we stood in the cold and dark, watching as these two planets aligned, I couldn’t help but think of what it must have been like the night the first “Christmas Star” shone brightly in the sky over Bethlehem. I’m sure it was even more astonishing, without electric lights marring the view. I’m sure the shepherds watching were moved to think about God in Heaven with wonder, which then turned to absolute awe as the angels appeared to them. Perhaps God ordained this conjunction to happen in 2020, knowing we needed a reminder that He is still with us and He is still reigning in Heaven. Much like the people 2000 years ago needed relief from their woes and struggles, maybe God knows we needed a reminder of Emmanuel, “God with us”.
The words to one of my favorite Christmas carols have resonated in a special way with me this year and I’ve found myself pondering them a great deal the past few weeks. “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices” has echoed in my heart as we’ve celebrated Advent this year and remembered the coming of Jesus. Weary. What word better describes the state of my heart this Christmas? I’m weary. Weary of sadness, weary of conflict, weary of bad news. I’ve thought often and with longing about the return of Jesus someday and prayed with hope that he will come soon and set all things right. What better way to enter into Christmas than with a thrill of hope that someday our Saviour will return, and will set us free from all of this? As we spend the next two days celebrating our Saviour’s birth, let’s also anticipate his Second Coming. May the thrill of hope wash over our weary souls and may we bask in the light that is Jesus. May we feel in a new and more personal way the meaning of Emmanuel, “God With Us”.
Merry Christmas!
