By Kaarina Hsieh
Lead Pastor, Parkway Forest Community Church
Recently, I met a kind, thoughtful man who came to Canada from Brazil with his wife and daughter mere weeks before Toronto went into lockdown because of the global pandemic. To be newer to Canada, arriving with so many hopes and dreams of new work, new friendships and a new life but then forced into isolation with the rest of the world could be discouraging and disheartening. But how thankful I am that he has pressed on to make the most out of each day – thankful for what he has and discovering what he can of the city by bicycle, enjoying the outdoors with his family as much as he can. Still, it has been a challenging, wearying time for him and really for all of us in a myriad of ways. We all have our own stories of how Covid-19 has changed our lives. It is never easy to live in uncertain times but what if these are the very times that can lead us to a place of genuine peace for today and sure hope for the future?
I have experienced that peace and I live my life according to that hope. I truly believe that this weary world has reason to rejoice!
One of my favourite Christmas carols sings:
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,
Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born.
Beautiful tune, powerful words! This is my favourite time of the year and I always look forward to the first snowfall when the city streets become quiet and peaceful. Streets are lit with lights and Christmas markets abound throughout the city; hot chocolate and snowmen and with it all, not just warm, sentimental feelings but something that we can celebrate all year, all life long: the coming of Jesus at Christmas that has changed everything for everyone and anyone who believes the good news that “for unto us, a child is born, to us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Jesus knows something about coming into a world wrought with conflict and disunity. He knows something about living in stressful times and economic poverty. Jesus knows something about arriving in a strange, new land, not always feeling welcome. Even so, Jesus came in love to heal and restore this broken world, to offer humanity salvation from a world of sin.
When Jesus was born everything was made new! This weary world, laden with sin, suddenly experienced “a thrill of hope” as Jesus came in humble power, conceived of the Holy Spirit to be God with us!! And yet, Jesus didn’t just come to be with us, He came to save us! So at Christmas time but every day, we can, even in the weariness of life, rejoice with this thrill of hope we find in the gift of Jesus. May you know this “thrill” too and live in His peace.