The Advent and Christmas seasons are over (unless you belong to an Orthodox Church, in which case you’ll be in the thick of things and celebrate Christmas on January 7). We have a few days until we ramp up for the New Year’s celebration.
When I was a child, I could hardly wait until I was old enough to stay up until midnight and celebrate the midnight hour. Then, for many years, it was New Year’s Eve parties. For a few years at “the cowboy church,” we did a New Year’s Eve gathering and started the New Year with communion at midnight.
Now, most years, the New Year slides in while I’m fast asleep.
I can remember when the 21st century seemed a distant future. In a few days, we will already be a quarter of the way through it. The time flies.
The new year arrives, and the world trudges along in chaos and conflict. Some days it seems that evil is winning, and the times are getting darker. It might feel as if the church has lost its power.
The truth is, though, that God and His plan have not changed. He is still on the throne, and His will shall be done. We cane celebrate that truth.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
There is nothing that will happen without His foreknowledge, and nothing can change His plans.
The enemy will rage in the new year. The mockers will still mock, and the scoffers will still scoff. Sin will abound, even within the church, because the world is a fallen place. Blasphemers will still blaspheme. Leaders will come and go, and we will all face disappointments.
The world has gone insane. It celebrates darkness and denies even fundamental truths. We wonder, “How crazy will it get?”
Yet the Kingdom is here at least in part and has been growing like a mustard seed since the death and resurrection of Jesus. There are more Christians alive today than at any other point in history.
From a small band of believers, most of whom fled and hid at His death, to a worldwide movement numbering in the billions, the church grows. Even if the majority of those who claim Christianity aren’t truly believers, their numbers are staggering.
Whatever the coming years throw at us, God already has a plan to deal with it. He will use His church to bring light to a dark and hurting world. Let’s celebrate that.
As we near the New Year, we know the truth that the baby born in a manger grew up and gave His life for us. He rose again, defeating death and the grave, and is returning.
That’s good news any day of the year and worth celebrating.
Praise His name.
Be blessed,
Kevin
Live the Christian life to the fullest
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