Minister’s Blog – January 2016

Happy New Year?

I have often wondered how far into the year you can wish people a Happy New Year? Maybe the answer is before the third Monday in January, as it is officially the most miserable day of the year.  The reasons given for this include the fact that it still goes dark before most people finish work, the weather is often rubbish, our holidays seem a long way away, the credit card bill has arrived but it is not pay day yet and for those of us who made New Year’s resolution we have well and truly failed by now.

The answer is not simply “Don’t worry be happy”, for me the following words provide a much better answer

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phil. 4v4-8)

One thing we do at the beginning of a New Year is to pack away the Christmas decorations, the danger is that we also pack away the Christmas message including the truths that God is with us and that Jesus is the light of the world.

As we slowly begin to appreciate slightly lighter mornings and days that are beginning to get longer we need to remember that Jesus, our everlasting Light is with us always. He shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish His light. As we move through this year let’s remember that whatever we face He will guide and protect us. The message of Christmas is just as relevant should we choose to let it impact our lives, as we move through the year, following Jesus.

Rev. Chris Hawley

January 2016

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