4 | Sing for Joy: O Holy Night | Romans 8:18-25 | 10/12/23

O Holy Night is a carol that holds the weariness and suffering of the world in tension with the hope and joy of the Christmas story. These will be the lyrics I will focus on most:   “Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices”.   Romans 8 draws on this message by highlighting the groaning and weariness of the world as well as the hope we have as Christians that our groans are purposefully directed through the Spirit to future glory.   My application will be found in v25 of Romans 8 as well as the lyrics, “Truly he taught us to love one another” as we reflect on what groaning and eagerly waiting for this future hope looks like.