New Year and New Life

January marks the beginning of our calendar; the old year has ended and a new year has just begun. In the Christian church, we end every year with the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As with many things in life, the one ending is capped with a new beginning. It is appropriate and helpful (if not necessary) that in the dead of winter, we celebrate new life. We focus on the hope of things to come. It is our chance to leave the old behind and start over; new beginnings.

The new year is much like repentance and forgiveness. When we recognize our failings and our rebellion against the Lord, and we turn from our self-centered ways toward the Lord and ask for His forgiveness, Jesus Christ takes our burden from us so that we can move forward, free from the burden of our past actions, fresh and new.

The new year is as fresh and full of promise as the pure and holy Babe in the manger. The old has passed and the new begins. The imperfection of the preceding year is passed. The new year offers hope of a more perfect year to come, just as the Light of Christ, coming into the world overcomes the darkness in our lives and offers hope for the perfection of God in our lives.

We have many things to look forward to in 2012. Bethel Lutheran Church will have a new organizational structure. Some who have served on council for the last year will be replaced by new members. We have spent the last year regrouping and now are faced with the opportunity to open new doors of ministry.

We have hope that change may occur in our government as well. The elections in November offer the hope of a fresh start, free from the hatred underlying much of partisan politics and toward effective governing out of the concern for the wellbeing of this great and diverse nation.

And for those who fear a 2012 apocalypse I offer this: Humanity is poised to make a great leap forward. We are faced with a choice to continue down the path of greed, hate, division, self-interest and self-centeredness or to move forward into a new era of cooperation, realizing our future is dependent upon the inter-connected unity of all life in the one true God, creator and sustainer of all things.

It is sad to know that some will choose to follow the old ways. Given our history, it is understandable that some will remain in the do unto others before they do unto you mentality. But the age of enlightenment is coming to a close and the age of the Holy Spirit is coming. When humanity is inspired by God's Holy Spirit, all will prosper, no one will be lost or forgotten. Yet those who choose themselves over others will be left to themselves, by themselves.

The invitation has been offered, in Christ, 2000 years ago. It is a gift that was given to all yet accepted by few. We were given the invitation to lay down our lives (put ourselves aside) pick up our cross (the sacrifice of the self) and follow Jesus in The Way of selfless service of others. He left this world, but left the Holy Spirit with us to guide us in this pursuit.

Do not lose heart. Do not let the ways of the world deter you in this pursuit. It is the will of God that all people come together and work for His good pleasure. His good pleasure is all of creation working together for all of creation, to the Glory of God.

Self-centeredness is sin, sin is separation from God and separation from God is death. Loving each other is the will of God. When we love the other before the self we are centered on the will of God and on God Himself. God-centeredness is life. Let this year be the year of spreading life and the love of God.



Pastor Paul