Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Folks ……..
OK, I know you will be reading this after the event and wondering why it’s taken so long to be said. Of course, as I write it is the very beginning of January; you have no idea of the printing deadline the editor puts on us all! I pondered about whether to say Happy New Year knowing it would be February and then thought about the month. February is renowned for being the darkest, coldest, dreariest month of the year. It is a time when we know something good is coming, summer and its sizzling long days, but the grey skies of February seem to do all they can to try and convince us it will be winter forever and so we just wish the month would go so we can get something of what we hope for.
Wishing all a Happy New Year is a joy for me, as is seeking to bless people at any time! After all what’s the harm in a blessing, in having the best of things wished for you, in seeking to see something good come a person’s way; nothing I hope! It is so often easier to go the other way. Maybe we are having a bad day ourselves and it just seems easier to pass on the misery – a bit like the News!
March will bring us Lent followed by Easter on 5th April. Many would think the events of Easter are pretty depressing; actually you get the sense that it was a dark time for Jesus’ followers and family after the Romans executed him. I mean he never hurt anyone, stood up for the poor, the marginalised, the outcast of society!
Part of the crucifixion story sees two thieves executed alongside Jesus. Understandably, they shouted and cursed those causing the pain and Jesus could have naturally joined them, but he didn’t instead he blessed and forgave! And, of course that sort of attitude just can’t be snuffed out and as we know Jesus was raised. The darkness could not put that kind of light out, ever.
In our dark times, in our worst encounters with this fickle and pain filled world becoming vengeful about us, spouting curses may seem natural at the time but I wonder if there is healing faster, if there is sunshine warmth and the dispelling of leaden skies sooner, when we seek to follow Jesus’ example and bless the world about us, seeking to wish others well.
So I wish you a Happy New Year! I truly hope that peace, love and grace would be yours! And, as one commentator on the crucifixion once put to song “When you’re chewing on life’s gristle, don’t grumble, give a whistle and this’ll help things turn out for the best…always look on the bright side
of life!”