HOPES AND FEARS OF ALL THE YEARS

A REFLECTION FOR THE SUNDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS

As the last few days of 2020 slip away into the darkness of the past, we’re left wondering about what comes next.  There seems to be no end in sight to the worries we feel about things medical and political, social and religious, all of which seem to be sinking ever-faster into an abyss from which we fear there may be no turning back.  And yet we can’t help that twinge of hope that comes around every year at this time—the anticipation that comes from a new beginning, that perhaps the New Year will bring with it some unexpectedly pleasant surprises, and that our lives may, even now, start to become just a little bit better.

 

Some of it has to do with the movement of the stars and planets.  As our northern hemisphere begins its annual tilt towards the sun, that great source of light and heat, our days are destined to become that bit brighter and warmer, and we can look forward to the slowly approaching summer.   Distant though it may be, it’s something in this cold and miserable winter that we can think of as we sip our hot chocolate by the roaring fire, and cheer ourselves up a bit!

 

It’s the way of things, the way God made it.  And like all else, God made it with a purpose.  Our lives follow the same pattern as the passing seasons: they move from darkness to light, from joys to sorrows and back again, much as the natural cycle of our planet.  In the midst of our joys, we fear their loss.  In the midst of our sufferings, we look forward to better times.  But we never seem to become irretrievably locked into one or the other, we are never without our hopes and fears that things will change.

 

In our Christmas carol about the little town of Bethlehem, we sing to the Christ Child that “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight”.  The arrival of our Saviour at Christmas joins together the joys and sorrows of our life into one brief glimpse of the glory beyond, which he brings with him at his birth.  This tiny, simple yet divine Baby is set to replace our present joys and sufferings, as well as our hopes and fears concerning the future, with the light of faith that something truly wonderful awaits us; that no matter how things change during these short days we have on earth, a glorious and permanent destiny awaits those who stay the course.

 

So let’s ride the wave into our uncertain future, and, with heads held high and hearts of courage, go forth into the New Year with the firm resolve to grow in love for this little Christ Child who leads us, never losing sight of the star of wonder that guides us infallibly to the harbor of salvation.