Starting Fresh with God: Embracing the New Year with Faith and Gratitude
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
The new year starts with a very familiar scene for most people. For some, it’s a couple holding one another, a family sitting in their favorite spots in the living room, or friends gathering at a party. Everyone starts counting down, and at the magic moment, everyone screams, “Happy New Year!” Usually, there are hugs and shouts of joy. Most couples share a celebratory kiss. Others raise a glass and make a toast of some kind. Some are working, and their moment is pretty quiet if they can pause to celebrate at all.
Whether you bring the new year with a raucous celebration or a quiet moment, whether at midnight or 8:00, the key is that most of us welcome the new beginning that midnight on January 1st represents. We greet the first morning of the new year with excitement because there’s a sense of opportunity and possibility that isn’t usually in the air. People may establish goals or create a vision board. A rare few still set the traditional New Year’s resolutions. Anything feels doable because there is a sense of a fresh beginning.
As amazing and positive as that is, I’m curious where God factors into our thinking while we embrace this beginning. The Bible famously begins with the phrase, “In the beginning God...” It helps us remember that even before there was a beginning, there was God. God was first. You’re probably reading this while we’re still in the Christmas season. Many of us think of the story beginning with Gabriel’s visit to Mary or maybe the opening section of Luke that tells us about Ceasar’s decree that there would be a census. The key verse above from the gospel of John reminds us that Jesus was there at the beginning of everything.
Where was Christ as the new year began for you? It could have been a prayer of thanks for your 2024. No matter what happened over the year, there were undoubtedly reasons to thank and praise God. For some, making it to bed on New Year’s Eve was an accomplishment. Thinking of the love and joys to come is also a reason to start the year with God in our hearts and Jesus on our minds. We can offer gratitude for what may lie ahead in the new year.
“First things first” is a popular saying. As disciples, we often have big hopes for a new year. As we head into 2025, let’s remember, “in the beginning, God,” and “in the beginning was the Word.” This will add a new meaning to starting 2025 right and having a Happy New Year!
Pastor Scott
