Start the New Year Right

Let’s start the new year right, at twelve o’clock tonight. When they dim the light, let’s begin. Kissing the old year out. Kissing the new year in. Let’s watch the old year die, with a fond goodbye and our hopes as high as a kite. How could our love go wrong if we start the new year right (Bing Crosby, Holiday Inn). Seems that year after year we step into the new year with this sentiment. To let the year past slide away and all the bright future of the new year to come. In all the chaos of our holiday plans, there is something refreshing about ringing in the new year. With all the fresh possibilities, there is a whole year ahead of us.

The trick for us as believers is to not leave behind the message of the Christmas season as we kiss the old year out, but to find a way to let the spirit of Christmas live on in our hearts and lives. Every one of us is on a different path with the new year ahead of us. Some old things will carry over. The stress of the year past may still be there. Even some of the projects you couldn’t finish may still be looming. However, on this first day of a new year, we have some great promises to hold onto. Emmanuel, God with us, is still with us today. All the hope, peace, joy, and love found in the Christmas narrative and season remain for us to have into this new year. There will also come a day when all the stress, anxiety, projects, and errands will pass away and God will make all things new. In John’s revelation of the coming days, he wrote that

I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children (Revelation 21:3-7 NIV).

Jesus Christ has promised to be with us to the very end (Matthew 28:20). And when He makes all things new, He will continue to dwell among us and we will be His. The New Year is full of wonderful possibilities. All the hopes and dreams and what will come. As we look at the year ahead, look to Jesus and rest in the promise that He is with you. He will be with you. You have a place in His family and are seen as a child of God. Happy New Year to you and your family!