There is the endless succession of people onto the stage of life. “one generation passes away, and another generation comes: but the earth abides forever.” The grandchildren soon become the grandparents; the birthing room quickly gives place to the deathbed. In the words of Tennyson, “And our hearts, like drums, are beating funeral marches to the grave.” And the unending beat goes on.
So how, how, how in the highest sense, can it truly be a happy new year? The Bible has the answer, and a complete and perfect one at that! “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). Yes ‘all things’ become new. This is nothing less than good news! To have Christ, as our Lord and Saviour, and be a Bible believing Christian, is truly how to become a ‘new’ person. Not only does Christ give us a new heart and a new beginning, He also gives us a new song which begins with ‘Amazing grace.’ Yes, everything becomes ‘new’, not just for 2017, but also for all of time and for all of eternity.
To begin the year with God is more important than anything else in this world. The dawning of a new year serves to remind us that we are all marching through time, heading for eternity. Awaiting each of us is either a glad and glorious heaven in the presence of God, or a sad and sorrowful hell, banished from God. The eternal Son of God entered into time as the man Christ Jesus to make a way for sinful man to approach God and enter into life eternal. His death, burial and resurrection have fully accomplished this objective so that Jesus now proclaims: ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.’
The Bible reminds us that whether we have begun this year with grey hairs and other signs of old age, or else may be facing the future with youthful buoyancy – we must be wise. Yes, whether we are old or young, God asks us to number our days in this world, and apply our hearts to wisdom, by seeking Him (Psalm 90:12).
But you must seek Him now, "while He may be found," while there is still time, before you pass into eternity. In view of the uncertainty of life, how important it is to "Prepare to meet thy God" (Amos 4:12), through faith in Christ as your personal Saviour! This alone will enable you to experience a truly "Happy New Year" and look forward to a glorious eternity with absolute certainty.
Our sincere hope and heart-
Donald J Morrison
85 Old Edinburgh Road
Inverness.
Letter: Beginning a new year
31 December 2016
Sir,
As one year comes to an end and a new one begins, we wonder if the days ahead will be any different. We’ve been often told that the more things change, the more they stay the same. So why go through this annual ritual of saying, ‘happy new year?’ Do we really think that it will be all that new?
Each year brings more of the same – the same old heartaches and disappointments, the same seeking after relationships or things or pleasures that never quite satisfy. Almost three thousand year ago, a very wise king named Solomon had to confess the fact: “There is nothing new under the sun.” He spoke about the seeming pointlessness of it all.