Christmas Time

The twelve days of Christmas are almost over; the New Year is upon us - 2012! Time is quickly passing it seems. I can just hear our children lamenting, "Do we have to go back to school already," and our older people commenting, "2012!…where has the time gone."

Time. When we are young and our parent tells us to just wait a minute, that minute seems to take forever. But when we are old it seems as if a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

As the psalmist reflects upon time, upon God's eternity and humanity's frailty, he or she says, "For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night. You sweep them away; they are like a dream… So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart." (90:4 - 5,12)

If you read the whole psalm, you will come to understand that God is our only constant, our only hope, our only "dwelling place." Life is very fragile. Therefore, to count our days is not only to cherish each moment that we have been given, but also give thanks to the One who has given them to us.

In our world it's not so easy to do that. We're so busy rushing around trying to control and plan and respond. But the psalmist reminds us that whatever the circumstance, even in difficulty, pain and suffering, we are to turn to God. "Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." (90:14)

Though a thousand years are like a day to our constant and creating God, God loves creation and God loves you. My hope this year is that I will remember that and count each moment as a gift in time and use it well. That is my hope for you, too.

A Blessed New Year!

Pastor Karen