By: John Kerr
Now that Christmas 2024 has been packed away and New Year 2025 is upon us, one Christmas from many years ago still stands out in my mind. My world was so different then.
It was the Christmas of 1975.
I flew to Canada to be with my family for Christmas. It was a great adventure. The plane was delayed for over 13 hours but there were a number of young people my age so we had fun. When I finally arrived in chilly Brantford everything was so different to me. My folks had a colour TV! All those game shows and WHA hockey, it was a new world. At the mall (which I hadn’t experienced) pay phones didn’t need to be fed every couple of minutes.
It had been a different Christmas, but as I got off the plane at the old Prestwick Airport, back in Scotland, 1976 seemed to be just like any other year. Happy New Year, whatever!
As the dreary winter gradually gave way to spring, I was rummaging in the attic and found a box with some items left by a family friend. They included a Living Bible, The Cross and The Switchblade and a beautifully written presentation of the Christian life.
As I read the book, I came to realize that though I wasn’t a drug addict my life was lost and I needed Jesus. The tract explained my need and how to believe on Jesus for salvation. I still remember the evening that I confessed my sins and received Christ as my Saviour! I was never the same. I read my Bible and couldn’t wait to go to church. I learned what it was like to be a new creation!
As I look back on that holiday season of so long ago, I now see things so differently. We don’t know what is ahead. We can make our resolutions but as we change our calendars and set up our new Day Timers (or the digital equivalent) do we include the one thing that will make the difference to each of us this year?
As I continue to study the Bible, I am continually amazed at how the sovereignty of God works in our lives. He is working His will for each of us personally. As I continue to grow in my faith, I am less afraid to acknowledge His divine will and am more willing to rest in the knowledge that “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom.8:31)
I have been studying the Psalms recently and this theme constantly appears. “Whatsoever the LORD pleases, he does in heaven and in earth” (Ps 135:6). ”But it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another” (Ps 75:7). Even the beloved Psalm 23 is filled with allusions to God’s sovereign care for us: “He makes me lie down…He leads me…He restores my soul… He leads me in paths of righteousness.” All of these promises and so much more assure us as we look ahead into 2025 that nothing will take God by surprise and that He will care for us. As Paul said: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom.8:28)
As I still fondly remember that Christmas holiday so many years past, I remember how that my life changed so wonderfully only a few weeks later. For each of us this year will be different, but let us together trust in our God to see how He works to His glory!
