Day 4 – O Little Town of Bethlehem
We all have our own hopes and fears, don’t we? One friend emailed yesterday asking for prayer because her sister and children all had COVID, only discovered after my friend had visited with her a week ago. My friend hopes for their recovery, while personally in quarantine fearing she may have contracted the virus.
Another friend just sold her house to move to another state. She hopes her decision is a good one, yet fears she may have made a mistake.
This very week a third friend shared her hopes and yet fears for her child, unable to know whether her daughter will maintain sobriety during these difficult times.
This carol reminds us that the hopes and fears of every individual and generation are met in Jesus Christ. He is the answer to both our hopes and fears and He alone can do something about all of them. He is God. We are not. And we can trust Him.
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary
And, gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to all on earth!
We are also reminded He alone is the Everlasting Light in this dark world. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
As you listen and read today’s carol thank Jesus that He is Light in this dark world and is both aware and cares about your hopes and fears. Commit them to Him and trust Him to handle them aware that you can’t. He’s God. You’re not. You can trust Him.
