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The Weary World Rejoices

Christmas is almost here! This Advent season, we prayed, we reflected, and hopefully we prepared our souls for the tiny baby born to redeem the world.

God sent His Son to our broken world to give us a chance at eternity with Him. This gift is more than we ever deserved, but God gave it to us freely because He loves us.

In the lyrics of “O Holy Night,” we hear some of the most evocative words of any Christmas song—words that help us understand the true meaning of Christmas and words that bring such joy that we cannot help but fall to our knees in praise of His wondrous name.

This time of year, one of my most favorite things to do is watch a video set to Josh Groban’s rendition of “O Holy Night.” The scenes in the video come from a movie about the nativity, and two are particularly powerful. The first shows Joseph gazing upon the baby and crying as he holds Him. The second shows a man, presumably Simeon, visiting the baby and falling to his knees in tears.

Both men look upon Baby Jesus with wonder, awe, and immense love. The joy on their faces reminds us of the joy we should feel not only at Christmas but every day.

The night that Christ was born truly changed the world. All of God’s promises in the Old Testament were fulfilled, and in His death we can live. Eternity with God can be ours. Our choices determine whether or not we accept His offer. But He came as a tiny baby to give us that chance, and in coming “the soul felt its worth.”

What are we worth? We are worth mocking and beatings. We are worth the nails. We are worth an agonizing death. Why? Because we matter to God, and we are His.

This Christmas—and always—let us praise and thank Him for taking on our sins and for dying so that we could have eternal life.

Indeed, the weary world rejoices when it gazes upon Baby Jesus—on Christmas and every day.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Celebrate Life Magazine!

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About the author

Susan Ciancio

Susan Ciancio is the editor of Celebrate Life Magazine and executive editor for the Culture of Life Studies Program.