This year our church’s Advent theme is “a weary world rejoices”. The words come from the carol “O Holy Night”. In some ways it is quite a fitting theme for today’s world and all that we have experienced these last two years.

But I have been thinking- how does one rejoice when one is weary? Too many people that I know and care about are carrying very heavy burdens: never ending caregiving, monumental grief and loss, major disappointments with themselves and others, very real physical, emotional, and spiritual pain. In essence, all around me is a weary world filled with weary souls.

Yet we are not alone in our weariness. Seems like every generation has something. Every generation feels that their society is headed in the wrong direction. The expression “go to hell in a hand basket” was first noted in print during the US Civil War. The expression means that one is on a course to doom. I am sure that those who were living during the Civil War felt that the country and its individuals were headed down that road.

Many centuries earlier, the Hebrew tribes must have also felt weary and on a path to doom. For generations they experienced multiple wars, famine, persecution, slavery, exile and foreign occupation. In essence, they experienced and represented much of the world weariness that all humanity experiences.

In processing how we are to react to our weary souls in today’s pandemic, I wondered about the “Spanish Flu” of 1918. Namely, what was the impact on society during and afterwards? No surprise, there was an uptick of neurological and psychological issues in the following years. Those who lost loved ones were plunged into helplessness and despair. Flu survivors reported sleep disturbances, depression, mental distraction, dizziness, and difficulties coping at work. Health professionals felt haunted by sense of frustration and guilt. Sound familiar?

The gentleman who wrote the lyrics to “O Holy Night” was a Frenchman Placide Cappeau. When he was eight years old he lost his hand due to a gun accident. Not being able to follow into his father’s business of being a cooper, Placide went into academics- studying law and literature. He earned a living as a merchant of wine and spirits. In 1847, the local parish priest asked him to write a poem for the celebration of the organ’s renovation. Although Placide was an atheist he agreed and researched the book of Luke for inspiration. An opera singer, Emily Laurey saw the text and asked a friend of hers, Adolphe Adam to compose the music. Emily sang the hymn at midnight mass and while those who heard the carol loved it, the Catholic church banned it because it was written by an atheist. Even so, it became one of the most popular carols. In 1855 an American Unitarian minister, John Sullivan Dwight translated the lyrics to English.

I know nothing more about Mr. Cappeau. Did reading the book of Luke and writing the carol change him in any way? The carol has certainly meant so much to so many people. Legend has it that “O Holy Night” was one of the carols sung among the trenches during the Christmas Eve “truce” of WWI. What I love about the history of the carol, is how God uses everyone for His purposes. Even individuals who might not believe in Him are singing about the hope that comes from God.

But what about the holy night that helps the weary world or soul rejoice? As was mentioned in Sunday’s sermon, Advent is a time for waiting for the long expected Messiah. The waiting implies longing: longing for what is to come. In the spiritual tradition it is the longing for the time when all is made right with God and one another. But in our day-to-day, weary world, longing can be the tension between grief and hope. And how do we square it?

I think we do so by recognizing the overarching and longevity of humanity. The perspective that every society and every people group have had situations that has challenged and changed their world as they knew it. Some with devastating consequences. Some with vast societal improvements.

I think we can “rejoice” when we recognize that there is a tension between the what was-the past, and the what is to be- the future. Sometimes we need to specifically name the past and the future: name our grief and hopes. There is something powerful in the recognition of our laments and longings. It can set us free from the spinning wheel of guilt and regret. While it may not cause a “wahoo, hands in the air” kind of celebration, it can provide an inner peace and a deep down joy. When we name what was and what is to be, we can be grateful and thankful for the past and be expectant for the future.

What about you? Are you world weary? Have the last couple of years turned your world upside-down? Are you longing for something? Someone? Are you missing what was? Do you wish for what is to be?

When we are weary, I think it becomes important to remember to live in the what is now- the present. To remember to live for today and to do the best we can with whatever situation we find ourselves. To be kind to ourselves in this moment. When we are weary, we need to remember to live with our eyes open. There might be something happening in our lives, the people around us or in society that is surprising. Living in the now can help shed some of the weariness and burden that we feel through our “responsibility” of the past and the “control” of the future. When we are fully present, we are open to God’s possibilities and can wait expectantly for the hope of the holy night.

O Holy Night- English translation by John Sullivan Dwight. Originally in French by Placide Cappeau

O Holy Night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul [world] rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name