Do you remember the “Do, Re, Me” song from the “Sound of Music?” Sister Maria used this song to teach the Von Trapp children how to sing and it begins: “Let’s start at the very beginning, it’s a very fine place to start.” So, let’s start 2022 at the very beginning – that is the beginning of John’s gospel, and John begins with the beginning of our salvation – Jesus:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” John 1:1-2 NIV
The song concludes “When you know the notes to sing, you can sing most anything.” And when you know Jesus, we not only know the notes, we know the composer. Not only are you born anew but each day is a new beginning! As Mary would proclaim about His birth, “For with God, nothing is impossible (Luke1:37).” Jesus would later add, “… all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 ) so we best start singing.
Since we are still in the 12 days of Christmas I want to share the vision that theologian, Howard Thurman, says Christ’s mission may look like.
“The Work of Christmas”
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
You are all invited to start this new year continuing the work of Christmas.
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
Let’s get this new year started!
Pastor Rob
