Christmas comes around again. For some of us, it hasn’t come quickly enough, and for others, it has come too quickly.
Christmas is a time for rejoicing, families can gather as borders have opened up for both state and international travellers.
I've just recently picked up my daughter after she flew in from Brisbane.
But even as we rejoice we also find ourselves in a sense of weariness.
There's so much about our lives that can cause weariness, and dare I say even Christmas can bring on weariness with all its preparations.
This Christmas is also a bit different with the COVID weariness we've all experienced over the past 20 months.
Just living with the various health and safety measures in place has given us an overlay of fatigue. We live in a weary world.
I've been reflecting on this famous Christmas carol of late, O Holy Night; here's the first verse.
O holy night the stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of our dear saviour’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 and glorious morn.
A “weary world rejoices”. Just think about that for a moment.
A saviour has come to rescue and save us. A saviour who would ultimately deliver us from this weary world. This same Jesus said 30 years after His birth these words in Matthew 11: 28-30.
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) — “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
This Christmas can I suggest taking another look at Jesus Christ and the rest He gives from a weary world. This might be the rest you are looking for.
– Pastor Todd Hall, Exchange Church, Shepparton