Happy New Year

Happy January 1st, 2011 to all my friends in Blogville! 

We have two New Years Eve traditions (in addition to gathering with friends, praying together, playing games, enjoying their company, eating a lot, and staying up way later than we normally do).  These are all things we do on other occasions throughout the year, but there are two things special to New Year's Eve.

Before midnight strikes, we gather in a circle on the living room floor to share things from the past year we are thankful for.  We turn out the lights and pass a candle from person to person, giving everybody an opportunity...whoever has the candle, gets to do the talking.  Themes of thankfulness this year included things like: having loving family and friends, a gospel-proclaiming church to be a part of, various fun times God gave such as a trip to Bullwinkles and camping, the growth God has given us (spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally), ministry opportunities God gave us and the fruit that was born for His glory and our joy, the privilege of being able to stay home with our children and home school them for the Moms, and having jobs for the Dads in which they can honor the Lord and provide for their families.

Our second tradition is to pour glasses of whatever fruity drink is desired among our available options and to take turns making toasts as we look forward to the new year God is bringing us into.  We have much to anticipate because we have our hope in God, who rules and reigns with justice and mercy.   Throughout the Christmas season we sing things like "joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth, receive her King....He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found."  And "Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given."  I worship this Son, who will see only increase to the government upon His shoulders.  I adore this Son, who "rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove, the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love."  I believe this is what we can continue to look forward to in 2011...may He give us growing faithfulness to Him this year, a boldness to proclaim Him to those He brings us into relationship with, and a love that serves others near and far with His wisdom and grace.  

Happy New Year to you!  I'm off to enjoy my friends who happen to still be here this morning, and my family...they are all waking up now.  Thanks for stopping by.