A Weary World Rejoices

The line, "The thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices" in O, Holy Night always catches my attention. Perhaps this year more than ever I, as well as most people on the planet can identify with the sentiment. We know deep in our b
ones just how weary the world is. We realize how broken and hopeless life can seem to be, yet...hope, the thrill of hope. 

Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved (Psalm 80:3). 

The theme of the Psalm is about God's restoration. This phrase is repeated three times. Restoration brings hope. Restoration brings salvation. One might say that salvation and hope are interchangeable. The hope of Israel was that Messiah would come. He did. He came to restore. He came to save. In his grand restoration and salvation endeavors, he brings hope. 

My prayer this Advent season is that the thrill of hope would fill our hearts in the midst of this weary world.