The Thrill of Hope

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:11  


My online dictionary described hope this way. “For those who believe in Jesus, we will not perish but are promised the hope of forgiveness, eternal salvation, and everlasting life. We experience God's constant presence, power, and love through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.” What a thrill it is to be called a child of God. May God grant each of us the thrill of hope that is found in Jesus Christ this Christmas!

The words “a thrill of hope” come from the song Holy Night. As you read the lyrics below let the birth of Jesus into the world sink deep within your soul. Try to imagine what it was like in that moment when our Savior was born and how the news began to spread that God was with us and the world as it was known then was about to change as with the birth of Jesus came the birth of all things possible because hope was born!  

Holy Night

O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine o night
O night divine

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine o night
O night divine (song ends)

Jesus birth provides for us a thrill of hope in that all the prophetic promises of God regarding the Messiah and our salvation, restoration, regeneration and glorification are coming true! With every thought of what Jesus birth brings with it, a greater thrill of victory is realized. Christmas has never been about what mankind could do for God but rather what God in Christ can do for those who hope in Him.

Has the joy of Christmas somehow evaded you this year? Has all the commercialism of the holiday robbed you of its cheer? If so, know you are not alone. Millions of people around the world are out searching for the perfect elusive gift this Christmas, one that could never be found under a tree but is out there, especially for those who are searching but have become tired and weary of looking. The gift of God is the promise of His presence. Jesus is the gift of God to the whole world. Christmas is not about stuff its about a relationship, one that had been severed and was now being mended when God sent His one and only Son to be born. The gift of Christmas is the thrill of hope that causes a weary world to rejoice.

You know you have received a thrill of hope when God who seemed so distant from you draws close to you and reveals His love for you and all you can do in response is fall on your knees and hear in your heart of hearts the angels voices singing His praises and you join in the song.

Put on some Christmas worship music today and sit back and close your eyes. Get caught up in the moment as a thrill of hope comes over you like a new and glorious morn, as you think and sing and proclaim, “O night divine, O night when Christ was born.”


"And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.”

Psalm 39:7  


I LOVE YOU!

Michael Osthimer

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