I wish each of you a happy and healthy new year.

We have just celebrated one of the two most important dates in history, the birth of Jesus Christ. He was born, grew, and confounded Temple leaders with His wisdom at the age of twelve. He healed the sick, lame, and blind, and raised at least two people we know from death. He gave Hope to a downtrodden people under the thumb of Rome!

(For more, read my post, Christmas Wonder)

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Even on the Cross, Jesus forgave those who nailed Him to that tree He created, saying “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

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In the busyness of the season, we’ve had some interesting interactions. I try to say “Merry Christmas” to those I meet, being sensitive to the fact some may celebrate Hanukkah, others something else. Most respond positively. Some ignore me.

But on a recent Costco trip where I again used one of their handy battery-operated carts to get around, Don looked for a place for us to sit while I steered over to the food line.

I put our hot dogs, ice cream swirl, and cups into the cart, but couldn’t get close enough to fill our cups with their delicious raspberry tea. A voice behind me asked if I would like some help. “Yes, thank you.”

A lovely African American woman took my cup and filled it with ice and tea. I looked, really looked, at her again. “Thank you.”

I noticed a light in her eyes – a light I suspected came from joy in Christ. “I think we’re sisters,” I said.

“Yes,” she responded, “Sisters in Christ.”

I’m amazed at how the Holy Spirit communicates between spirits when we watch and listen. I was deeply blessed.

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Handel’s Messiah

Did you know Handel wrote the Messiah in about eighteen days? It is an amazing, three-hour oratorio with three concepts: the prophecy of and historical nativity story; Christ’s crucifixion and redemption for man; and a statement of the Christian soul and its victory over death.

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I’ve realized that my hope cannot be in physical security, in government, or even in friendships. It can, however, be rooted in Immanuel – God with us. Yesterday. Today. Forever. In this new year, 2025.

As George Frideric Handel wrote so well – “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and He shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah!”

What gives you hope as we enter this new year?