In the
last few days, I have been greeting people I meet with a heartfelt Happy New
Year. I have sent these wishes to family, friends, colleagues and people
whom I barely know. But as I have done so it has felt like wishful
thinking as many of us expect 2012 to be a tough year, possibly even more
challenging than the year we have just said good bye to. We have only to
see on the news in the reporting of speeches from various European political
leaders that, in their openness of sharing, they are preparing us to not expect
a quick fix to our economic and social issues.
As I
thought about the seeming dislocation between my wishes of a Happy New Year and
the reality which we see around us, I found a prayer which helped me to see
things differently. I share this below and you will see that threaded
throughout is the assurance that God is with us. Jesus never promised an
easy path through life, but this is what he did promise “Surely I am with you
always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). In the words of the
prayer below, it is this presence that will strengthen us, take away worry and
make our faces shine through the darkness.
Therefore,
all of us at Christ Church with St Marys do indeed wish you a Happy New
Year. May the knowledge and assurance of the arrival and presence of
Jesus in our world celebrated this past Christmas, remain with you during the
coming year.
The Reverend Trudie Wigley, Curate
May God make your year a happy one.
Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, if it comes;
Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear and worry from your heart;
Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even if shadows come;
Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes need you the most, and by making you anxious to be there to help others.
God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.
May it be a happy year whatever it brings.
Amen
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