Dec. 31, 2006- a new “START” for the New Year:

The gospel records an incident when Jesus was 12 years old. It appears Jesus had become aware of his divine destiny and his special status. He says he must be in His Father’s house – about his Father’s business - and that wasn’t carpentry.

The scene concludes:

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. Luke 2:52

Jesus continued to learn and grow throughout His life, even to its end, as scripture says: Although he was a son – the Son of God – he learned from what he suffered… Hebrews 5:8

Tomorrow we begin 2007 – we’ll all increase in years, but will we, like Jesus, increase in wisdom – grow and continue to learn? Will you increase in divine and human favor?

That might be a goal for this New Year – to be a little wiser in life that you might increase in the favor of God – and of those around you.

So today might be a good time to think about New Year’s resolutions.

New Year’s resolutions are a great thing. Making a vow to be a better parent or spouse, promising to do better at work or school, resolving to lose a few pounds or start exercising – even pledging to be a more faithful church member.

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A husband told his wife: “I don’t want to brag, but here it is February and I’ve kept everyone of my New Year’s resolutions.”

Really, I haven’t seen any difference. Are you sure you kept your resolutions?”

“Yes, I’ve kept them in a folder on the back of my desk.”

A new “START” for the New Year:

S – Stop making excuses

As you ponder how next year might be different and better, it might help to honestly look at yourself. Begin by being honest with yourself and face up to your problems, accepting responsibility and stop making excuses.

Almost any action or behavior can be rationalized – explained away. It’s a way of saying it’s not really my fault.

Or I can compare myself to someone else. I may not be perfect, but I’m not as bad as he is.

But if I do that, I’ve picked the wrong standard – as a Christian I’m to compare myself to Christ, because I’m supposed to be following Him.

If we want to grow – and to live wisely, we have to name what we’ve done wrong and acknowledge it. We don’t deny the mistake. We don’t shrug it off and minimize it.

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The Christmas gospel says Jesus came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

We have to be honest with God and tell Him the truth about our lives. Of course He already knows, but he’s waiting for me to tell him that I’ve figured it out.

If I am truthful about the mistake I’ve made – about my problems – then I become open to his grace – not only forgiveness, but also the guidance of His word and the power of His Spirit - the power to change – to live more wisely.

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T - Take stock

The obstacle to taking stock is that we all have “blind spots” – areas of our speech and behavior that fall outside of God’s favor – and also outside of our awareness. We don’t realize we do it consistently.

Sometimes God chooses a friend or family member or even a church member to be the vehicle of His Spirit’s correction. None of us likes to have our junk pointed out. Yet Paul reminds us Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom. Colossians 3:16

We need others to help us see what we don’t see ourselves – and thus help us develop where we need to grow. Most of us would prefer to be the one offering that correction, rather than listening to helpful advice.

When we take on that role of admonishing one another in all wisdom, we sometimes lack elegance. We can sound prideful and legalistic. So Paul advises us to clothe ourselves with love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14

If God would have us help correct somebody else, he would have us do so with motives that have been prayerfully purified. Motives of love and concern, help and hope.

We follow Jesus, who is full of grace and truth.

Truth means that we can have direct honest conversations. They may not be comfortable, as we point out blind spots in each other.

Grace means that we are clothed with humility, gentleness and patience. We choose love and speak from it. We choose forgiveness – seeking it and offering it.

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A - Act in love

When Paul speaks of love it isn’t a flowery or sweet love. It’s action packed. In only five verses, there’re at least 10 verbs acting as commands for loving relationships. He would show us how to act in love as we engage others in our families, among our friends and in our church family.

He uses a clothing analogy: “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

Literally, clothe means ‘to put on’. The implication is that we put on these virtues. They don’t come naturally – they are virtues that need to cultivated with God’s help. We put them on in order to cover up what does come naturally – our selfish tendencies. I naturally think about me first. How does this affect me? What’s best for me?

With the help of God’s word and spirit, I need to start thinking less about me and more about you all. It’s a long difficult struggle – striving to put your needs ahead of my own. It involves, as Paul writes, putting on humility and meekness, in imitation of Christ

Allow the love of Christ to flow through you in your kind and thoughtful words – in your acts of goodness and generosity. Be compassionate. Let your words and deeds be modeled on Christ, who shows us how to express love to others.

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Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:13

From personal experience with several congregations, Paul knows that if we’re in close community with others, it’s virtually impossible not to sin against each other. Somewhere, sometime, somehow – it’s going to happen.

We think unkind thoughts about another. We speak to critically in our frustration. We gossip. We omit the whole story or unfavorably word the truth. These are all communication patterns that are easy to fall into.

We’re just not always the sweetest people in the pageant of life. So we need to expect that real community – real relationships will result in causing offense and being offended.

Martin Luther noted “The continual forgiveness of neighbor is a primary duty of Christians… second only to receiving forgiveness.”

We can choose to repay the wrong with grace: just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

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This kind of tangible, practical love – whether it be among friends or family members or in our community of faith – makes us more attractive to others, When Christian love – its virtues – are extended to others, there are rewards for the giver – respect, appreciation – virtue given in return. As we are loving, we are more lovable. Christian character in action makes us likable, respectable, pleasant in the eyes of others.

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R – Refocus on Christ and His Way

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...

with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns,

and spiritual songs to God. Colossians 3:15-17

In 2007, begin each day with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. Focusing on God’s goodness – the ways He has blessed you – can positively affect your work – the fulfillment of your duties – and your relationships.

Thanking God for the gift of children can have an impact on how you parent and guide them. Praising God for the gift of productive work will flavor how we approach our jobs. Giving thanks, even for the difficulties and challenges that come our way, will shape our response.

Thankful prayer and focusing on the Lord will make a difference on the lives we lead in the New Year. Whatever our hopes and dreams for this New Year might be, there is a call to found these aspirations upon grateful hearts rooted in God’s love.

T - Trust God to help you throughout 2007

Finally, trust God to help you throughout 2007, starting tomorrow.. Don’t depend only on yourself. Depend on Him.

Trust God’s word and way for your life

-- and expect of God with confidence,

believing that He will do good things for you.

With faith, we can look forward to the new year with joy and hope,

knowing that the best is yet to come.

We are not yet what we shall become.

As Paul said, “Above all in the New Year, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts...

And what ever you do (next year), do it in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:14,15,17

And then you will have a happy new year.