In the birth of Jesus, centuries of hoping and waiting have come to an end for Israel. The carol “O Holy Night” captures this moment beautifully:

“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,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;
Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born.”

May our Lord bless you this day. May you experience his peace. May you know his joy. May you live out of his love. And may you look ahead with hope that the Christ who entered the world more than 2,000 years ago will once again come to make all things new—to usher in the new and glorious morn that will never end.