by Victoria Heinecke

Starting a new chapter with God.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”
Revelation 21:5 New International Version (NIV)

Each New Year’s Eve, I like to stay up and watch the spectacular fireworks show on Pikes Peak. A group of hikers climbs to the 14,000 foot summit to put on a fireworks display for our city at midnight. Moreover, they’ve been doing this for nearly 100 years.

On this New Year’s Eve, I watched a five-minute fireworks show from our hotel window in Cincinnati. A few folks were launching fireworks in the rain, in the parking lot near the Waffle House. After a while, the fireworks seemed to get wet, as the rockets sputtered back to the ground after a 30-foot ascent. After a few failures, the show was over.

It was not as awesome as the Pikes Peak show but the spirit was there. There’s a sense of new beginnings at this time of year.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.”
John 1:1-2 NIV

As we celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus, and marvel at the beginnings that come with new years and new babies, we also remember that even before Jesus was born, Jesus was. He was with God in the beginning and throughout time, before he came to us as the baby in the manger.

It’s a mystery, and at the same time it brings a comfort. As we say goodbye to another year, to friends and loved ones passed, to life chapters as they close, Jesus is always with us. As we look forward with hopeful anticipation to better times ahead, Jesus is always with us.

May that assurance be a comfort in the new year.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Colorado Springs, Colorado