A NEW YEAR'S MEMORY

My home congregation, St. Paul's Lutheran in Concordia, MO, worshiped on New Year's Eve. There was communion, which I didn't appreciate much as I was growing up. Too long, because I think all our communicants participated! After church we went home. Mom went to bed, because she had to play for church the next morning. Dad made highballs for my sister, brother, & I--limited to just one apiece--& we enjoyed crackers, cheese, & raw hack. [If you're not familiar with this delicacy, Google it.] Then we played 10-pt pitch, & nobody wanted to be my partner. Still hurts my feelings as I think back. Apparently I had a reputation for reckless bidding, which I categorically deny.

A NOTE ABOUT THE CHURCH YEAR

Yesterday was New Year's Eve, which fell on a SUN this year. It was also the first SUN after Christmas, so we sung some of my favorite & familiar Christmas hymns, one of which I'll post below. And yes, we celebrated Holy Communion--a proper way to ring out the old year & ring in the new. [My attitude toward Communion on New Year's Eve has greatly matured over the years.] The epistle also hearkened to the birth of God's Son. "When the fulness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, & if a son, then an heir through God." (Gal. 4:4-7)

IT IS FINISHED. WAIT . . . WHAT?

When I opened to my devotion book yesterday ["Experiencing God Day-By-Day," by Henry & Richard Blakaby], I was initially puzzled by the Bible verse, which I'll quote below. It didn't seem to fit with Christmas or New Year's Eve--more fitting for Holy Week--but as I read & reflected, it seemed more & more appropriate. See if you agree.

"So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." (John 19:30) "God always finishes what He begins (Phil. 1:6) God never speaks a word without ensuring that it comes to pass (Is. 55:11). Christ is both the Alpha & the Omega, the beginning & the end (Rev. 1:8, 17) Christ is as much at the end of His work as He is at its beginning.

"Christ now resides within each believer. His assignment today is to complete God's will in each Christian . . . What is it God wants to do in you? Have you allowed Him to complete what He has begun? He will not force you to receive all that He has for your life. If God's work has not been brought to fruition in you, it is not that Christ has not been diligently working toward that end. Rather, you may need to release areas of your life to Him & be as determined to see God's work in you completed as Christ is." 

A PRAYER FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY

"Lord God, You made Your blessed Son, our Savior, subject to the law to shed His blood on our behalf. Grant us the true circumcision of the spirit that our hearts may be made pure from all sin; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." [Lutheran Worship] NOTE:  New Year's Day is also when we celebrate the circumcision of Jesus on the 8th day after His birth. It may seem strange to celebrate His circumcision, which was required of all Jewish baby boys. It demonstrates, however, that Jesus was made subject to the Law for us, since we could never meet its demands. Jesus was also sent into the world to shed His blood for us. Before He ever shed His bled when He was crucified, He first shed His blood for humankind on the day of His circumcision.

A CHRISTMAS HYMN

Where Shepherds Lately Knelt, LSB 369

Where shepherds lately knelt & kept the angels's word, I come in half-belief, a pilgrim strangely stirred; But there is room & welcome there for me, But there is room & welcome there for me.

In that unlikely place I find Him as they said:  Sweet newborn babe, how frail! And in a manger bed:  A still, small voice to cry one day for me, A still, small voice to cry one day for me.

How should I not have known Isaiah would be there, His prophecies fulfilled? With pounding heart I stare:  A Child, a Son, the Prince of Peace for me, A Child, A Son, the Prince of Peace for me.

Can I, will I forget how Love was born, & burned Its way into my Heart--unasked, unforced, unearned, To die, to live, & not alone for me, To die, to live, & not alone for me?

NOTE:  I did not become familiar with this hymn until our congregation started using the "Lutheran Book of Worship," & now it's become one of my favorites.