Pastor’s Corner
What Will Grow this New Year
With the New Year celebrations come the inevitable challenges to make a “new you” for yourself. Whether it be new fitness routines or vitamin supplements, this time of year is always so predictable. We are told that it is time to remake ourselves in our own image; whatever image that may be.
It’s amazing how that drive to remake ourselves harkens back to Adam & Eve. Even though they were made in God’s own image and likeness, they desired to remake themselves and, as the devil promised, become like their own little gods. It’s a good thing for us that the celebration of New Year’s (and everything that often gets dragged along with it) comes on the heels of Christmas. During Christmas we sing all of our favorite Christmas carols that remind us of what Christ came to do in this world. One of those hymns, Joy to the World, has this very relevant stanza for us:
No more let sins and sorrows grow
nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
This singular stanza reaches all the way back to Genesis. It speaks of the “curse” of the Fall into Sin. It speaks of “thorns” infesting the cursed ground. But this stanza also speaks of something wonderful. This stanza speaks of the Christ coming and bringing blessings; blessings that continually flow over His church from His pierced side. It is from out of this sacrifice of Jesus that the greatest blessing occurs which this stanza also speaks of. The stanza says, “No more let sins and sorrows grow.”
We have no idea what will “grow” in this new year. We hope it is filled with good days, but I bet it is safe to say there will be trying times. Thanks to Christ though, what will grow in this new year are not our sins, but the forgiveness of our sins. Thanks to Christ, what will grow this new year are not sorrows, but a grief that is mingled with the precious hope of the resurrection of the dead which provides us the greatest of comforts.
I am also so thankful that this year will be the celebration of Zion’s 125th anniversary. As we begin this new year, may all of us rally together around the promises of Christ, trusting Him in all times no matter what may befall us this coming year. And as we prepare to celebrate our 125th in 2023, may we now, and always, give thanks to Christ who continually “comes to make His blessings flow”!
-- Pastor Grimenstein
