Clothesline - 232 "New Year's Day"

By Rev. Elizabeth L. Nelson, Pastor

January 1, 2025 

New Year’s Day!

The beginning of another year in the service of our God. And as has been our tradition in the past few years, our church wrapped up the year with what we call “A Service of Lessons and Carols.” Having just celebrated Christmas, this service brings us back to how it all began, how God’s intention was always to bring light and hope to a people that would desperately need his grace and love.

The service begins with our fall from grace in Genesis, how the serpent tricked Eve to desire more than what God had already given her. Chapter 3 tells the story along with God’s promise: “Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals…I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers…” Isaiah continues the words of hope to a people in need of a Savior: “See, the Lord God comes with might…He will feed his flock like a shepherd…”

Another reading from Isaiah predicts the wonderful things that will happen when the Savior arrives: “The wilderness shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice…the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped…and the ransomed of the Lord shall return…and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” You can just hear the hope that the prophet Isaiah brings then—and now—to those who are in need of God’s presence.

Now the stage is set. The Old Testament anticipation of a Savior has been presented. Now we move into the New Testament, the New Covenant, the time when all will come to pass. In the Gospel of Luke we read about the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary and her acceptance of God’s plan for her, Mary’s visit to her relative Elizabeth who was to bear John the Baptist, Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, Jesus’ birth, the visit of the shepherds, Jesus’ presentation in the Temple and the prediction of “the rise and fall of many because of this child.” The readings come to an end with John 1:18… “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” In between each reading we lifted our voices in song, putting to music beloved hymns and Christmas carols.

As we begin a new year, take time to reflect on this wonderful story of creation and redemption, always remembering that every day is a new beginning, another opportunity to meet our God in love and joy, no matter what might have happened yesterday. That is the joy of being a Christian. You are loved, forgiven and destined to be a child of God. May your New Year be blessed!