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December 31, 2008 - New Year's Eve
The Rev. Canon Grant Carey
January 1st is known to us as the Feast of the Holy Name, and remembers Mary and Joseph taking the child Jesus to the temple for the rite of circumcision and the giving of the name.
I remember standing with others on newly excavated steps leading into the once glorious Temple in Jerusalem - - steps that Joseph and Mary would have climbed after their journey from Bethlehem. It was a moving experience to know that it was there that the infant was taken into the arms of an elderly man, Simeon, who reflected the end of an era - - and who blessed with the words: Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised; for these eyes of mine have seen the Savior. Whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people, Israel.”
I don’t need to remind anyone here tonight the we are living in uncertain times - - not unlike the first century of our Christian era. Now as then, there were wars and rumors of wars - - poverty - - political discord - - fear and anxiety. The fact is our world today, in spite of all the technological advances of the past century - - our world and the people in it is much the same. There is truth in the saying: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
And so, like that Holy Family, Joseph, Mary, and the child Jesus, we face an uncertain future. As in the song: “We know not where the road will lead we follow day by day…”
And when we get down to it - - even though we might not have rationalized it, this is partly the reason why we have ventured out this evening … to offer our prayers, hopes, dreams … just as did Mary and Joseph when they made their journey from Bethlehem to the temple in Jerusalem.
And like them, we too may be assured that our loving God, whose purpose is and always has been one of peace and love, is with us (as he was with the Holy Family) - - to walk with us down that road that leads us to tomorrow.
I know not where the road may lead I follow day by day,
Or here it ends: I only know I walk the King’s highway.
I know not if the way is long, and no one else can say:
But rough or smooth, uphill or down, I walk the King’s highway.
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May the God of peace bless us with his presence and direction in the days ahead?
May we - - our nation and our world - -prove mature and wise enough to accept God's presence and walk with him rather than to stray into paths that are dark and uncertain.
Jesus said - - and we affirm - - “I am the way - - the truth - - and the light…”
Lead us, O Lord, into the ways of justice and peace in the days and months that lie ahead.
Amen
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