The Hopes and Fears of All the Years

One of my all-time favorite movies (and books) is The Princess Bride. I’ll pause while those of you who haven’t seen it consider revoking my Man Card, but just remember: it’s got Andre the Giant in it.

For those of you who have seen it, you’ll remember the scene where the Dread Pirate Roberts has kidnapped Princess Buttercup and is making his escape. In one particular exchange about the death of her beloved Westley, Buttercup says, “you mock my pain – I died that day!” Roberts replies, “Life IS pain, highness. Anyone who says different is selling you something.”

I’m always surprised at the way that statement rattles around in my head. Part of me loves the cynicism, and on some level it’s obviously true. But there’s also a voice somewhere that revolts against that. “NO!” It says, “that’s NOT how it’s supposed to be!” And then a whole debate ensues over whether it’s stupid to think about the way things should be rather than just deal with the way they are – but I won’t bore you further with the voices in my head.

What if life was pain… and nothing more? What if life was a string of bruises and scars with no point until it mercifully ended? Somewhere inside each of us there’s the knowledge that there is more. Every Advent season, the words from O Little Town of Bethlehem begin to echo in my brain:

the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight

Advent season is – and should be – a reflective season. It’s cold, so you’re stuck indoors and you have some time with yourself. In the movie Bruce Almighty, Bruce begins to hear the prayers of humanity. They’re full of hopes and fears, of joy and desperation – and they mirror my own prayers, and probably yours. But that’s the key part of the Christmas carol: the second half. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

In a backwater town on the fringe of the Roman Empire, God Himself entered time and became a powerful king? No, he became a baby – born to blue collar parents with a lot of hopes and dreams and not much else. Jesus became human and dwelt with us (John 1:14). Emmanuel – God with us – came in answer to our universal need for life to be more than just pain. And in Him, we have peace, we have joy… we have life.

Life is often painful.  But because of Christmas, we have hope, we have life.  Because of Christmas, pain is not all there is.  Even more: Christmas gives meaning to our scars.  Instead of painful memories best left in the past, ugly scars are transformed into beautiful reminders of the future in hope He came to offer you and me.  “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Him tonight.”

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
– John 16:33