Dear First Pres,
The week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve is always a blend of old and new. It’s a balancing act between tradition and trajectory. We’re still living in the old year, but we are aware that we are rushing toward the New Year. We’re remembering the last year, sometimes rejoicing and sometimes regretting, and at the same time looking forward to the freshness and possibilities of the next year. There is an aspect of “already” and “not yet.” It reminds us of the truth that Jesus came to inaugurate God’s kingdom; it is here and active among us by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is born! And. And we are reminded every day, sometimes sadly moment by moment, that God’s kingdom has not arrived in all its fullness. There is still evil in the world; we see evidence of it in our city, our neighborhoods, our homes, and even our hearts. And we live in that tension of now and not yet. Oh, how we need to keep seeking to stay near that Baby-King Jesus. We need him to walk with us as we venture into the New Year. He brings us the gift of life. He shows us the Father, who is love. He gives us hope, not only for the time in the future when he will make all things new, but for today and for the coming year. Because of Jesus we are empowered to live God’s way in God’s world; we get to see what God will do with his guidance and our obedience. And we get to look forward to all of that together. So, friends at First Pres, here’s to a wonderful, blessed, and adventure-filled 2016!
Happy New Year,
Pastor Lana
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