The Christmas hymn, “O Holy Night” was written in 1847 by Placide Cappeau and Adolphe Adams. A priest in Southern France commissioned the song just in time for the Christmas mass in Roquemaurre. However, Placide was an atheist and Adolphe was a devout Jew who didn’t believe in the nativity story. It just goes to show you, God can use even those really unwilling to share the story Jesus. Even so, the hymn made it to America and was translated into English. It has become a staple Christmas song for two centuries.
The night Jesus was born must have been chaotic and dark. Born in a stable, in the dark, surrounded by animals and their smells with strangers from the field showing up to see what was up…seems very disorienting. Luke 2 tells the story of Jesus’ birth and we discover several things in the story.
We find a new day with Jesus brings exactly what we need in life. It may not be what we wanted but it will always be exactly what we need. We need Jesus in our every day struggle with temptation and addiction. We need Jesus as we work through the rough spots in our marriage. We need Jesus as we pray for our children to come home. We need Jesus as we work through our loneliness. We find a one day with Jesus changes everything.
We also find a new day with Christ brings hope to keep going. Jeremiah tells us in Lamentations 3:25, “[God] is good to those who hope and depend on him…” We can live without food for 40 days; live without water for 3 days; live without shelter during a storm for 3 hours; live without breathing in air in our lungs for 3 minutes. But we cannot live without hope.
People put their hope in some crazy things. People put hope in their bank accounts or retirement. People put their hope in their children, through whom they live vicariously. People put hope in relationships. People put hope in their college degrees and titles on a door nameplate. But all of that will eventually fail you. Paul tells us in Hebrews 10:23 to put our hope in Jesus, who will never fail and who never lies. He can be trusted.
We finally find a new day in Christ brings the help you are seeking. It’s amazing what one day with Jesus makes. Jesus makes all the difference in the world! During Jesus’ ministry, just ask Lazarus, the man born blind or the paralytic who was down for 38 years. All of them knew how one day with Jesus makes all the difference in the world!
Because of Jesus, you have hope in the middle of your night. Jesus is exactly what you need. Your night is almost over. There’s a thrill of hope and a weary world rejoices…for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! The Light of the world has been born and we celebrate this season. It’s time you have hope. It’s time you reach for Jesus! Blessings on your journey.