Can we be the light?

Happy New Year!

This is always such an exciting time – new year, new starts, new beginnings…

What will we bring into this new year?  What will we leave behind?

I had the privilege of offering the message in worship the other week (Dec 27).  And a text from the lectionary was Colossians 3:12-17.

¹² Therefore, as God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³ Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. ¹⁴ And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. ¹⁵ The peace of Christ must control your hearts—a peace into which you were called in one body. And be thankful people. ¹⁶ The word of Christ must live in you richly. Teach and warn each other with all wisdom by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:12-17 (CEB)

Seriously, what more really needs to be said after those words?

A new year is upon us. Will we carry the burdens of the past into our future? Or rather – will we carry into this New Year the lessons we learned in our past? Will we carry forward the love we have shared, and forget and leave our grievances in the past?

Christ’s birth was ushered in with light.  And Jesus brought into our world the light for those who are living in darkness.

As Christians, as a church – are we willing to look past the walls we create and seek out those who are living in darkness and be the light?

Will we be the light?

This is a new year, for a new beginning, a new start, a new church, a new life.

We have just spent the last month or so extravagantly celebrating the birth of Jesus. Can we be just as bold in this New Year and share the love of Christ with those loving in darkness,

and be the light?