The turn of the year, which generally overlaps with Christmastide (lasting from the dusk of Christmas Eve until the day before Epiphany), is a time of many festivities, activities, and emotions. During this festive season, it is the norm for people to travel and gather with family and friends, exchange gifts and goodwill, and attend cultural events and/or church services, including the many Christmas masses of the period. Beyond Christmas cheer, the New Year is often rung in with jollification and merrymaking, closing out the double-barrelled celebrations of the season.
As the new year unfolds, things begin to settle down: children return to school, adults to work, and business picks up steam again after the holiday downtime. At this point, if not earlier, people really start to give serious consideration to the new year that has just begun. The general ecstasy that envelops the season can sometimes give way to more sober reflection upon the past year — what one achieved or could not attain, hopes realized or dashed, and targets met, missed, or pushed further still. Plans for the new year typically complement this with resolutions made, hopes elucidated, and ponderings of what might come to be in one’s personal life, in their communities, and in the world in general. What can be expected and what unforeseen events might arise?
Just looking at 2025, within the Church, we will have a change in leadership with both a new Bishop of Rupert’s Land and Archbishop of Canterbury to be enthroned. Nationally, federal elections loom, and in our neighbour to the south, Trump 2.0 dawns. These pose uncertainties, and arguably justifiable worry, about their impacts on society, our loved ones, and our lives individually.
Needless to say, this period of pause can bring mixed emotions of hope and anxiety, anticipation and fear, joy and sadness, and purpose and trepidation, amongst others. However, it is especially at a juncture such as this that we must trust in the Lord; but what does it mean to trust?
In lay terms, trust is “the assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). For me, trusting in God is to depend on His unfailing love to take care of me and my needs. Trust and faith are inextricably linked; trust is an expression of faith — “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). In trusting God, we rely on Him for all things, whether they be general or specific. Because we have faith that He can do what we hope for, we trust that He will, if it aligns with His will. Scripture is replete with the message of trust in God, both in instruction and example.
As Proverbs 3: 5-6 says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Likewise, Isaiah 40:31 tells us, “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
By stepping out of the safety of the boat and on to the Sea of Galilee, St. Peter displays his trust in Jesus to keep him afloat in Matthew 14: 28-29: ‘“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.’ However, he only begun to sink when his doubt shook his faith and, hence, his trust. “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”” (Matthew 14: 30-32).
In Genesis 12: 1-4, we see the example of the Call of Abram: “The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So, Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.” Here, Abram displays great trust in God by venturing out from where he had built his life — his homeland — and he even did so at a considerable age, not as a youth. He went with the utmost confidence that God would lead him to greater things, keep him from all the dangers that lurked in those dicey days, and fulfil His promises to him.
This passage speaks to me profoundly as I have now lived in five countries across four continents, and even more cities besides. Each time I have had to pack everything up, leave behind the familiar, and move my whole life to a completely new place — sometimes sight unseen — I have turned to Abraham placing his complete trust in God. I have also drawn strength from further passages including:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11) “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
We are reassured that if we trust in God, all will be well with us. Our trust in God can never be misplaced because He is always with us. This is the beauty of the message of Christmas when we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 1, we are given the genealogy of Christ and told how an Angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph telling him to proceed with his marriage to Mary, the Blessed Virgin, as, indeed, she was to bear the Christ child. In particular, Matthew 1:22-23 references Isaiah 7:14 in saying:
“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
So, as we venture into the uncharted waters of the new year, its many uncertainties and precarities notwithstanding, let us set aside all worry and concern. Instead, let us go boldly, secure in the knowledge that our God is with us every step of the way. He is for us and not against us. He loves us, is reliable, and has only good plans for us to give us a future and a hope. I hope you had a most Merry Christmas and wish you and your loved ones a most blissful, wonderful, prosperous, and glorious 2025.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
