January 1
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New Year’s Day

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!  Amen.”  (Jude 1:24-25, NIV)

Jude’s benediction — his letter’s final words — are a fitting beginning to the new year.

There are things we’ve done in year’s past that we wish we hadn’t done; there are opportunities we’ve left unexplored, but we need not despair: It is Jesus alone Who is able to present us to the ultimate Judge “without fault and with great joy.”

None of us knows what this new year holds, but we need not despair: Through it all, and at the end of all; He is able to keep us from stumbling, both now and forevermore!  – Luther

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December 31
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“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”  (Matthew 24:44, NIV)

God often first gives us the answers before giving us the test.

In these final chapters of Matthew’s Gospel (chapters 24-25), Jesus is emphatic in His teaching about the nature of the kingdom of heaven; and He is equally emphatic in His teaching about the final judgment of God, and what is required of you and me.  You see, Jesus wants everyone to pass; but everyone must pass with his or her own work.  No cheating.

The key to successfully facing any crisis — whether financial, emotional, physical, or spiritual — is readiness.  The time to get ready is now.  The adage is never more true: “You cannot give what you do not have.”

Are you ready?  – Luther

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December 30
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“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19, New American Standard Bible)

Reconciliation. It is the word our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters use for the rite commonly called “confession.” In the confessional, the penitent seeks reconciliation to fellowship with God by acknowledging his or her transgressions (sins).

As disciples of Jesus, we have been given by God both the work (ministry) of reconciliation in this world, and the word that reconciles to God. In recent years, much has been said about the “divided” state of our society on many fronts: Economic, social, political, theological. . . Indeed, our divisions are many and deep. Our work is cut-out for us, and it is as clear as it is compelling.

The key to reconciling these disparate and conflicting parties is the word of reconciliation to God. Jesus, the word of God in human form, has shown us the way to reconciliation: Love God will all our being and love our neighbor as we love ourselves. This path seeks fellowship with everyone. This path bridges divisions as it seeks peace. This path aspires to the reconciliation of all humanity to God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the [children] of God.” (Matthew 5:9) – Luther

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