Another Christmas has come and gone and a New Year is upon us. Many of us have perhaps engaged in our routine and annual practice of making a few resolutions that this year – “things will be different!” The most prevalent of New Year’s resolutions always seem to deal with weight loss, physical shape, financial planning, and relationship issues. Indeed, this year we profess – “things will be different!” But will they?

We have only recently celebrated the birth of the Christ. A little over a week ago the  world gathered in churches to bow before the altar and profess faith and belief that God had give the gift of His son to be our Savior. We attended Christmas pageants where children and adults portrayed the characters of the nativity story. We watched and listened as Mary and Joseph journeyed to Bethlehem and we wept because there was no room in the inn. Then we marveled as shepherds and angels gathered to give glory to God and worship the new born King. And then, we awoke to the day after Christmas, to wonder not about how this birth ffects our life, but rather we are wondering how we might clean up the discarded wrappings and mess of Christmas under the tree. Not a good beginning to “things being different this year.”

As I think about Christmas, I always remember that after the birth of Jesus, there is the living of life that must begin. As Mary and Joseph are recovering from the journey, and Mary is recuperating from the birth pangs and delivery of Jesus, there is a story beginning that transcends all of time. This story is a story about how “things will be different!”

The story continues with the wise men arriving to worship the young child. Bowing before this new born babe, they offer to him the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The wise men are offering to Jesus the most valuable gifts of their day; gifts that are worthy of a king. Legend has it that these gifts also have meaning as they represent the ultimate fate awaiting Jesus in Jerusalem.

But for us in these days after Christmas, is there something that we can offer the Christ child that will make a difference in the world? Is there something that we can bring him that will make the joy and wonder of his birth live in our hearts and lives every day? Is there something we can do that will make our life different this year? If you are wondering those questions, I have an answer for you.

Come before Christ each week as you did on Christmas Eve and morning. Come realizing that the best gift we may offer Jesus is the gift of ourselves in service to the world and the church. Come and bow before the altar, presenting yourself as a gift to the Christ. And then know that when you come forward to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion, you are receiving a gift of grace. It will be different this year if we can give ourselves completely to Christ our Lord. For God has given us the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, now let us rejoice and offer ourselves to him as a gift for him to use in this world.

Blessings to you in this New Year!
Pastor Butler +