St Peters RC Church Hamilton

“For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3 v 15 TLB)

Abandoned plans, hopes, ambitions,

Closed openings of good intentions,

Probably becoming degrees of disappointment.

But never mind, today is a new beginning,

A fresh start, current thoughts, happy ideas,

Given time to rear carefully in this New Year.

Ask for grace to face any difficulty.

Plan wisely, prayerfully, regularly,

So as to include the Holy Trinity.

Faith tells us to count on the Lord Jesus.

When we do, blessings will accrue.

Count on this, God’s favour to savour.

“ ‘...with God all things are possible’.” (Matthew 19 v 26 NIV)

Faith is not merely wishful thinking,

Faith is realistic hoping, relying on God,

His Word given us, century by century.

Collectively through the prophets of history,

Personally in dreams, visions, decisions prompted

By the Holy Spirit of Jesus, taking good care of us

Inviting us to pray each and every day.

There is no better time to start than currently!

We offer all thanks for the mystery of the Nativity.

The Lord Jesus lovingly cared for by the holy family.

We recall Mary’s faithfulness, how richly this does bless us!

Soon we will contemplate the Epiphany.

“ ‘This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but He will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God...’.” (Luke 2 v 34 NLT)

The revelation to wise men travelling from the East

As to who exactly this Baby born to Mary is,

The Epiphany is a revelation of holy wisdom and truth,

As manifested most clearly in the life of Christ Jesus.

Later we will remember His baptism in the Jordan,

Acting as always, wanting to identify fully with us,

Not for the washing away of non-existent sinfulness!

A New Year is for us, time to seek holiness,

More urgently, more consistently, more prayerfully.

A fresh opportunity to focus on Jesus’ teachings and sayings.

What exactly did He say about this, that and the other?

Discover the answer and by the Spirit’s grace, abide by this,

And we are well on the way to each day being satisfactory.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, definitely will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4 v 6, 7 NIV)

Life can be better, fuller in hope, peace and joy,

The lasting gift of the Child born to us at Christmas.

The year previous has ended, let mistakes and regrets go,

Pray for pardon and feel the release of peace.

Throw away, at least imaginatively,

Broken dreams, useless ambitions, unfulfilled hopes.

New Year, new scope, new beginning, new yearning.

Times of goodness await us, in decided happiness,

For those who regularly look to and rely upon the Lord Jesus.

His will must be the blessing of the New Year for us,

As Jesus was born at Christmas that holy love be manifest.

Jesus is ‘Emmanuel’ God with us, Lord of all full happiness.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.” (Psalm 4 v 8 NLT)

“ ‘...This is a sacred day before our Lord, do not be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’.” (Nehemiah 8 v 10 NLT)

Dearest Father, a promise made to the prophet Isaiah is perfect for today, thank You: “ ‘See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland’.” (Isaiah 43 v 19 NIV). Thank You for the Lord Jesus being our glorious hope of a brighter, better, holier future now in the start of the New Year and on throughout the months. He is the confidence of our hope, trust and dependency and this gifts us a sense of peace. Yes, we are richly blessed to know our Brother as our Saviour! How kind You are towards us. This New Year is Your invitation for us to pray, believe in Jesus, receive the Holy Spirit, and live as a people of hope, that holy love be manifest in all we do, accomplish and say. Amen.