Since it falls upon me to close out the Regulars column for 2020, I was faced with a choice: review the past year or preview the coming year. And guess what? I chose to review the coming of 2021! Too much already been written about 2020 and too much suffering and death have been experienced by millions of people. So letâs look to the future.
I wish to express optimism and hope. I am guided by the fact that I regard hope as the fundamental virtue, without hope, neither faith nor love can flourish. As Desmond Tutu said âHope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darknessâ Hope allows us to move forward despite the obstacles. I agree with the Chinese people adopting the fish as the symbol of hope because fish always swim forward. So here are my positive, hopeful thoughts on the coming of the new year.
Hark! The herald angels sing, âGlory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.â Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies, with the angelic host proclaim: âChrist is born in Bethlehem. (Charles Wesley and Felix Mendelssohn)
This event changed the world forever!
With great joy I welcome the week of Christmas! What a special time of year for those who honor Jesus Christ as Savior. He left the majesty of heaven to come to earth as the first and last hope for salvation and reconciliation with a Holy God.
Christ came into the world surreptitiously, born in a humble stable. Even though it did not happen with revelry, the event did not go unnoticed. An angel appeared to the shepherds as recorded in Luke 2: 9-12: And lo, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round them and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, whi