The thrill of hope

Photo by Josh Boot

As I lay down to sleep, I am reminded of one lyric that has consistently been with me this busy holiday season: "The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices... for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."

2016 was hard. Emotional. Trying. At times, it felt hopeless. And, while I have so much to be grateful for, I often found my soul in disrepair desperately wanting to change so much heartache and injustice in this world. But, instead I felt small, insignificant, confused, angry, helpless.

As I enter 2017, I hope to cling to this lyric daily... because it's not just a line from my favorite Christmas song, voiced only one month a year. It's a promise of restoration... a promise that I am not alone... and that when I feel weak, there is One much stronger.

Praying everyone had a beautiful Holiday. But praying particularly for those who only feel heartache and angst during this time of year. Whose family doesn't feel like home. Whose hopelessness is that much harder to ignore. I hope you find sanctuary and rest. I hope your pain is not ignored, but embraced by those around you... by strangers even. You are not alone. You are loved.

This version of "O Holy Night" is one of my favorites. Sang by the incredible Wanida whom I had the pleasure of getting to know when she and her equally talented sister Anjuli photographed our wedding. I love the build in this rendition that brilliantly captures a feeling of anticipation. And that is exactly what I will walk into 2017 with. An anticipation of greater things no matter how impossible they may seem. May we all be grateful for the air that we breathe and that there is always Light even in the darkest hours of the night.