Editor’s Note: This post was originally published at Brett McCracken’s blog. It has been updated and republished here with permission from the author.
Oh how weary is the world, in these final days of a long, brutal, confusing year.
Weary of hate crimes, war, genocide, and monthly “mass shooting” headlines.
Weary of sexual violence, sexual harassment, sexual pain, and sexual confusion.
Weary of the rage that occupies every square inch of the Internet (but especially Facebook and Twitter).
Weary of a childish president who relishes offense: using his power to bully, berate and belittle so many.
Weary of a post-truth, alternative facts, fake news world where no one knows who or what to trust.
And then there’s the weariness of everyday life.
Weary of mounting bills, mounting debt, mounting inboxes, mounting anxiety about all manner of things.
Weary of the ghosts of technology and “connectivity” that we can never escape: the ominous “dings” of texts and push notifications.
Weary of the woes of aging bodies, troubled minds, restless souls—the fallenness of all things.
Weary of the friends who disappoint, the heroes who fall, the leaders who sacrifice principles for power.
Weary of the to-dos that never end and the rest that never lasts.
Oh how weary we are.
But into all this comes Christ: the once and future Advent of the Savior who will resolve every tension and right every wrong.
Once a babe in swaddling clothes; soon a crowned King on a white horse.
Fire in his eyes, sword in his mouth: King of kings and Lord of lords. (Rev. 19:16)
The terror, the aching joy…
Of justice at last.
Of light overcoming the darkness.
Of all things made new.
For this thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.