Advent Joy For The Weak and Weary

“Silent Night” has become my son’s favorite lullaby. I have hummed several other songs to him when I’ve put him to bed each night, but he has an adorable different reaction to this particular song. It was only a few weeks ago when we had sung it in church and it was on my mind that I thought to sing it to him for the first time. Within the first few lines of the song, he grows still, burrows his face into my neck, and laughs. I wish I knew what it was about this simple song that gives him so much delight, but it would seem this is the song he loves.

The irony of this is that we haven’t had a silent night since he was born 9 months ago. My husband and I expected a few sleep-deprived months with our son’s arrival, but we also expected some sense of normalcy by this point. Every night, I go to bed hoping tonight will be the night. And every night, I’m up with him 2-3 times. We have tried more sleep training methods than I even knew existed, but none of them have worked.

This season of sleep deprivation has been a challenge for one main reason - it is a constant reminder of my weakness. I don’t enjoy admitting my weakness. I don’t like acknowledging I need help. I long to be a superwoman who can handle every single thing thrown at me.

But for the last nine months, I have started every day on empty.

It is easy to get tunnel vision in these prolonged seasons. It’s hard for me to imagine a day when my children aren’t little anymore and sleep will return. This current state has been my reality for so much longer than expected that it’s hard for me to accept that there is an end in sight.

But it is in this weak and weary state that I can rejoice in the joy we celebrate during the Advent season.

The birth of our Savior was a long-awaited moment. For centuries beforehand, the people of God waited and waited. They were captured, enslaved, rejected, and mistreated. The promise of their Messiah had been passed on for generations, but it seemed the time would never come.

When Jesus was born, his people were weary.

So naturally, his birth was surrounded by inexpressible joy.

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

“And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” Matthew 2:9-10

“And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” Luke 1:46-55

Joy is such a marker of Jesus’ birth because it truly was the answer to every longing soul. His birth meant everlasting peace with God. His birth meant that the entire debt of our sin would be paid. His birth meant that our God had not forgotten us, that he was faithful, that he would have victory over all of the pain and death of this world.

We don’t receive this joy because all of our hard circumstances are suddenly taken away. We don’t rejoice because we’ll never face another trial or endure another hardship. We rejoice because our Savior has come. And because our Savior has come, we can face all of our trials and hardships with joy because one day they will end. One day we will reach heaven’s shore and every tear we’ve cried will be a distant memory.

We rejoice because our souls are at peace with God. We rejoice because even when we are weary and weak and can’t see an end to the circumstances we are walking through, it is well with our souls.

If you find yourself weary this holiday season, if you feel weak, or even if you’re sleep deprived like me, rejoice. Our Savior has come. Rest in these words from Jesus:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30