A belated Happy New Year to you

A belated Happy New Year to you. The Christmas and New Year period is such a strange time of the year – on the one hand it is relaxing and yet on the other hand it is incredibly busy. The mix of organising, decorating homes (I think ‘dressing the house’ is posh way of saying it), re-organising rooms, planning, buying and cooking not say anything of buying and wrapping the odd present or two makes for a hectic couple of weeks. It’s no wonder we all want to sit down on Christmas day and doze. Although, I guess for many of you that didn’t materialise for a variety of reasons – washing up, clearing up, attending to children or elderly relatives. Having said all that – it is a fun and happy season for many and despite the busyness we end up quite relaxed. The old saying is quite true – ‘a change is as good as a rest’.

The start of the year can be a massive anti-climax for many. Sadly, the second week in January has the highest rate of divorce filings annually. Each New Year brings a one-third increase in divorce filings. The Monday children return to school after winter break has the highest rate of divorce filings in one day. January is said to be the most depressing month of the year. January 24th is on record as being the most depressing day of the year.

These are sad statistics. Please realise that it need not be like that. As a Christian I am convinced that life is not measured by how much you have. One day Jesus warned people ‘Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions,’ Luke 12. 15. I think we all know this is true, but we often ignore it. 

This, however, raises more questions. If life if not about what you accumulate or about how successful you are, then what is life about? This is a big question; one that we all need to consider. If you are interested, I can point you to resources that give sound and reasonable answers but as I close let me leave you again with the words from the Bible. I believe that Jesus is the key to unlock these puzzling questions. Understanding who Jesus is, is vital to understanding what life is about.

Jesus said – ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly,’ John 10. 10.

Jesus’ disciple, John, said – ‘And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent,’ John 17. 3.

Knowing God through trusting Jesus is the key to life. God removes our guilt when we confess our sin, Jesus gives peace because He died for it, He gives life because He rose from the dead on the third day.

May 2021 be a very happy and meaningful year for you.