A Weary World Rejoices

In his book Miracles, C.S. Lewis writes, “In the Christian story God descends to reascend. He comes down; down from the heights of absolute being into time, and space, down into humanity; down further still, if embryologist are right, to recapitulate in the womb ancient and pre-human phases of life; down to the very roots and seabed of the Nature He has created. But He goes down to come up again and bring the whole ruined world up with Him.”


It may seem remiss to ask a weary world, a weary congregation, a weary family, to rejoice this season. You might be met with skepticism or surprise. This year has been a trial for most. To those struggling to rejoice, myself included, please be encouraged in this: no matter what happens, we are still on the ascent. He is bringing us up with Him.


The good news of great joy the angels brought to the shepherds that night in Bethlehem (Luke 2:8-13) wasn’t just for all people of that day, or all people during the time of Jesus’ earthly life. That good news of great joy is for us, currently, today. We can take heart in the hope we have in the Lord (Psalm 31:24).


It’s difficult to remember this in the earthly state we are in - the world seems so big, our problems seem like mountains, our storms seem to overtake us. In these moments, a still, small voice, the voice of our Savior, reminds me that even faith the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20), even if that’s all I can summon, is more powerful than I realize. We can say “hush” in His name to the wind and the waves. We can say “move” in His name to the mountains. He has authority over all things and He has both created this world and overcome it (John 16:33). The Maker is larger than His creation. The Son of Man has overcome the world and all of the darkness in it.


Take heart in the Good News. Allow your soul to rejoice in hope. Romans 12:12 says “Rejoice in our confident hope” (NLT). I’ve heard people say negatively that hope is all they have. Dear reader, hope in Jesus Christ is all we need. When you feel that you’re descending into the depths of despair, when times seem difficult, remember that Jesus has already won the victory. We may be weary, but dear reader, we are on the ascent and as His second coming draws nearer by the day, we are almost home.