This is the greeting I sent to the Yukon Presbyterians for Earth Care. Although it was crafted with them in mind, I find it wonderfully fitting for all, so I include it below.
May God bless you all in this new year!
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Happy New Year Everyone!
This is a traditional time of the year for Christians to greet one another with great warmth. The new year marks a moment to embrace new beginnings--and we have learned that new beginnings are very real, but only become real because of God's gift of grace-in-action. Indeed, for many cultures, the New Year's "Watch Night Service" at New Year's is a much bigger religious celebration than Christmas. So Happy New Year!!! Greeting each other at this time is another way of verbally celebrating God's grace-filled new beginnings!
We know there is much trouble in this world. We also know that the inability of our society to live in proper relationship with this planet is downright depressing. But in this New Year's season, we should claim the reality of God's new possibilities, and dedicate ourselves to live out of this good news.
I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday week.
Happy New Year!
Curt
