Amid eagerly awaiting the fireworks, fanfare, and fellowship in the arrival of 2007, we also bid farewell to the past year. For many, it was one full of mixed results. Sure, the world was rid of a tyrant -- yet we passed another important threshold in the Middle East -- more dead in Iraq than on 9/11.
There is no intrinsic significance on this day than on any other; nothing that makes it any different. We could have picked any day as the start of a new yearI'm reminded of what the last day of the year allows us to do according to my wise (but not yet old -- give him 2 more years!) dad: we can close the books on what transpired and start with a clean slate. For some that means partying like there is no tomorrow. For some that means making resolutions that will inevitably fail. For some that means having their hearts renewed. And for some that means nothing other than just another day. But for all, it gives a reason to look toward the future -- for that's what a new year means. It means we have closed a period of time and now can look to the one that is coming.
13 So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.'
14 "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
16 Then the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! 17 It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. 18 And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God."
One way, and I encourage you to do so, to mark the new year is to renew your vow to the Lord.
But if you would pardon me right now, I have a party to go to. No, I don't have anyone to kiss as the ball falls -- maybe next year?
Blessings and peace be upon you. Welcome to the Year of Our Lord, 2007.
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