Thought for the Week

It is a kind of ‘in between’ time; a kind of limbo time; almost a ‘nothing’ time.

Christmas is over, all the planning, preparing, shopping, etc, is done.

Christmas is over for another year and we await a new year.

Many of us do not really like this time nearly as much as the ‘waiting for Christmas’ time.

We almost dread New Year for we look back and remember things that happened that rocked us and saddened us.

We look back and hope this next year will be better.

Often there is sadness at the bells as many are aware that someone is missing who was with us last year.

Yet we do our best to welcome this new year and hope for good times to come.

We will join with friends and we will laugh as well as cry and life will go on.

Then, as we put away the decorations after twelfth night – as we pack away the crib – we must remember that we are not packing away the Christmas child. For God will be with us. He will go ahead of us into the good times and the not so good.

God will go ahead of us into hospital waiting rooms and treatment centres.

God will be with us in the brightest of days and the darkest of nights.

This was not only the message for Christmas it was the message for life.

So as you raise a glass at ‘the bells’ to absent friends, remember the one who is ever present and always near, for God will never let you go.

Wishing you blessings and peace for the year ahead.