Dear
Brothers and Sisters,
Happy
New Year, and peace be with you all, as we start a New Year. By now most of the
gifts, decorations, lights and trinkets of Christmas have been put away. Soon, very soon New Year’s day will dawn
around us. This year, January 1st, falls
on Sunday! As did Christmas day, just a week ago.
On
New Year’s day, our Gospel Lesson is from St. Matthew’s Gospel. It tells us the
beautiful, yet tragic story of Joseph and Mary’s flight into Egypt. In this timeless story from Ch. 2:13-23. Shortly after the “Magi”, or three wise men,
come to see Jesus. Father Joseph, is visited by an Angel at night. The angel warns him to rise from his
sleep. After which, Joseph and Mother
Mary are to bundle up the baby Jesus, and dash off to Egypt as fast as they
can!
As the reading progresses, it is
revealed that King Herod had sent his Palace Hench men; to Bethlehem. Upon arrival these cruel, cold-hearted men,
were ordered to kill every newborn; and infant Jewish boy up to the age of
two. Joseph and Mary, in an act of unbridled,
and unquestioning faith, did just as the angel had told them. There in Egypt;
they lived and cared for “our” Messiah. Till that cold-hearted Dictator, Herod
finally died! Upon which time, they quietly gathered up the baby Jesus. And
returned to Nazareth to raise him in their home.
People of God, this lesson, reminds
us to strive to be as “acute and attuned”, to listening for God’s angelic
agents, as Father Joseph was. It tells
us to listen, look and to be ready to “move” in our hearts and lives of
Faith. Just like Father Joseph did!
As the New Year dawns around us here
at Fremont Baptist Church. Let us, as a
Church and family of faith. Stay
“Spiritually awake” to the calling voice and
moving of the Spirit of God in our lives. I am confident God has good
and positive things in store for “us” his people and Church in 2023.
Let us as faithful children/sheep of
Christ’s flock. Stay ready to “react and
respond”, to God’s Sovereign Voice and Spirit, in the New Year of or Lord 2023.
Once again, Happy New Year, Fremont Baptist Church Family. And may “God Bless us everyone” to quote my
young friend “Tiny Tim”
P.S.
Thank you all once again for the Toys and Gifts given to the women and kiddos
at the Union Gospel Missions Hope Place.
On Wednesday, Dec 21st, I dropped off a car load of gifts and
presents, on my way home. May God
continue to bless our Annual outreach to the most “vulnerable” of God’s
people. Women and kiddos “with nowhere”
to lay their heads!
