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Sabbath Devotional: A Weary World Rejoices

  • Writer: MWEG
    MWEG
  • 7 hours ago
  • 3 min read
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The phrase “a weary world rejoices” has played over and over in my mind recently. Partly because it’s a line in my favorite Christmas song “O Holy Night” and partly because this seemingly contradictory phrase has me wondering. 


(Coincidentally, today is the third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday, which is a celebration of joy and anticipation.)


Weariness can be defined as extreme tiredness, a result of excessive exertion, reluctance to see or experience any more. To me, weariness is deep, labored breaths, heavy shoulders carrying the weight of the world, tired eyes, aching muscles, a broken heart.


How exactly does one rejoice when feeling the heaviness of the inequalities, discrimination, violence, division, poverty, and brokenness in the world?


The Savior was born into a weary world. The Jews were under Roman control which meant high taxes, oppression, and severe poverty. Furthermore, it was a divided world. Not only was there a clear Jew/Gentile division, but there were also the factions within the Jewish community: Pharisees (concerned with the preservation of tradition), Sadducees (the elite and wealthy priests), Essenes (those who lived separately from mainstream Jewish society), and Zealots (focused on militant resistance). I imagine the weariness of the people at that time, many of whom likely felt discouraged and powerless in the midst of their circumstances. Especially those who believed so fervently in change and in the promise of the Messiah.


“Long lay the world in sin and error pining

'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn”


Whether we feel unworthy or believe our world has lost its way, we are pining for something more. The message of the Savior’s entrance to this world is when our soul is reminded of its worth and allows us to see the worth of others — including the very souls who have done us, and the world, harm. 


The Messiah may not have overcome the Roman empire, transformed the political system, or conquered His enemies like many expected Him to. Instead, He taught of the Kingdom of God as a future hope and a present reality — of reconciliation with our enemies, of healing from our infirmities, of liberation from oppressors. This path is not an easy one — no wonder we feel weary!


The imagery evoked by the phrase “a weary world rejoices” is what I imagine of the shepherds when the angel appears; of Mary and Joseph holding the baby Jesus after a long journey and labor in a stable; of Simeon and Anna in their old age when they recognized the baby Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem as their Messiah. Their weariness wasn’t absolved in those moments, but rather I imagine it coexisted with their joy.


The paradoxical fusion of weariness and rejoicing feels like hope. Hope for “a new and glorious morn” that is grounded in the reality of our divided and broken world. A hope that exists not in spite of, but because of our weary world. A hope that leads us to love our enemy. I can think of several people who keep working and advocating for change — for a more just and peaceful world. They, like the Savior, are giving me “a thrill of hope” and cause to rejoice in a weary world.


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Maybree Spilsbury is a peacemaking consultant at Mormon Women for Ethical Government.

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