New Year
New Year’s Greetings
When God created the Sun, Moon, and Stars in Genesis 1, we are told they were to mark seasons, days, and years. Creation itself testifies to the glory of God and his work in it, and so it is also appropriate for Christians to contemplate one year’s passing and another’s beginning.
Peter writes to us in his first epistle: 22 Since you have purified your souls by obeying the truth, resulting in sincere brotherly love, love one another constantly from a pure heart. 23 For you have been born again, not from perishable seed but from imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. In his encouragement to the first Christians he first points them back at what God has done for them already. During the New Year celebrations people often look back at the previous year in review, good and bad. We remember blessings and challenges alike. They may vary from one year to the next, and vary from person to person. This reflection is good practice for acknowledging that God works in our lives actively, bringing strength through challenges and bringing blessings from his grace.
As I reflect on the previous year I can point to some specific blessings from the previous year. My goal of generating interest in fellowship and outreach has begun to take shape in the form of the Outreach Committee. I’m thankful for the work the members of the committee have done to take some ownership of some church activities. The beginnings of a men’s Bible Study were made, which I plan to continue and renew in the coming year. We also started a new evening Bible Study on Tuesdays. I see these things happening as sprouting seeds which I expect to bear even more fruit in the future.
One thing remains the same no matter the year, though: our rebirth through the imperishable, living Word of God. No matter our circumstances, God has made us alive in Christ through the power of His Word. Peter alludes to Baptism, which is our means of rebirth, but specifically points to the power of the Word here. Baptism and the Word of course go hand in hand with one another. He continues with a quote from Isaiah: 24 For:
All flesh is like grass,and all its glory is like a flower of the field.The grass withers,and the flower falls,25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.
And this is the word that was preached to you.
Another appropriate reflection at the New Year is the end of our own earthly lives, which is always quickly approaching. Seeing another New Year is not a promise for any of us. Yet though our flesh fades, we have been made immortal through the death of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Many people make New Year’ resolutions, which may not always be successful. Let’s base our resolution for the New Year, or really all the time, on our new life in Christ. Our resolutions can be oriented toward increasing our love for the living enduring Word of God, and toward our immortal brothers and sisters in Christ.
Towards the goal of increasing in our love for one another as Peter encourages us, the Sunday Morning Bible study will begin a series on the Lord’s Supper. This is part of the Catechism review begun with the study of the 10 Commandments. It will also be good to consider our current communion practices, such as how often communion is served during the month. The main goal of the study will be to grow in understanding and appreciation of the blessings Christ promises through the reception of the Lord’s Supper.
As we enter into the new year, remember the blessings God has poured out on you, and resolve to love those things which do not fade away with time: The Word of God, and the Body of Christ!
Announcements
Sunday School and Bible Study will resume this week. (Assuming Sunday School teachers are all ready- Thank you Sunday School teachers for bearing with my disorganization for the last month or so!)