New Year, New Hope

 

The New Year brings hope for a better days ahead.

The Christmas decorations are packed away. Memories of the holiday 2020 linger, of the year that families had to be creative to see each other. We are glad to that 2020 has passed, with all the conflict, uncertainty, illness, and struggle.

It’s easy to pack away the tree and nativity set for another year. Often, the divine birth often gets pushed to back of our minds, like the boxes stashed away for another year.

 

 

The Christmas message continues into

every day of the New Year.

The miracle of Christmas broke into the manger of the despairing world. We have the gifts of love, hope, peace, and joy everyday, not just during a short season of the year.

In the birth of Jesus, God moved, bringing light into the dark world.

(Jesus) said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV

Because of God’s love, we can embrace Jesus as Lord and Savior with new hope that strengthens us every day of the new year.

Jesus spoke these words for us:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14,16 NIV

We are to show the love of the Lord to others.

Because of the touch of God’s grace at Christmas,

we can share in the work of the Lord to impact the world.

This poem by Howard Thurman, encourages us to keep the message of Christmas throughout the year.

“The Work of Christmas”

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.

Howard Thurman, from The Mood of Christmas, p. 23
Published and copyrighted by Friends United Press, 1985

When Christmas is packed away,

keep the hope and light of the world deep in your heart.

Remember God’s love for you.

Look to the Lord for peace in troubled times.

Keep living with the joy of Christmas, knowing God is with you in all ways.

May the work of Christmas continue throughout the New Year with new hope.