The month of January is named after a Roman false god, Janus. It is shown as having two faces: one looking back and one looking forward. Many times it has one face of sorrow, confusion and disappointment. The other one looking forward has a face of hope and confidence. During the last week of December, newscasters often look back at the significant events of the past year – the triumphs and failures of prominent people, natural disasters, economic challenges, and the deaths of celebrities and leaders. The most surprising events usually receive top billing. If you reviewed and made a list of the past year of your life, what would appear on that list? Has an unexpected event caused you to question God or to more deeply experience His goodness?

What has this past year been like for you? Sorrowful, confusing, tragedy-ridden, heartbreaking, full of disappointment and even hurtful or perhaps it has been a happy, good, successful, joyful year?

When I think about this, I am reminded of Philippians 3:13-14. As we look to this New Year, it is nearly impossible to erase bad memories of last year. However, this means we must no longer be influenced by or affected by those difficulties. We can rise above them with the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is however one day in the past that I would like us to look back to. That is the day of Christmas – or at least to that wonderful event in history that made all the difference to the entire world. Really, when you think about the birth of this baby Jesus, it seemed so insignificant to many, but it is the greatest thing that could happen for us all. This should always keep joy in our hearts no matter what may come our way.

This event of Christmas, the birth of a baby born in Bethlehem, to many was nothing in comparison to the affairs of the Roman Empire. Great things were happening there – expanding their borders and conquering their known world and Caesar was great. Yet, the Roman Empire has long been gone. No more Roman legions marching around. No more Caesars ruling. All that of great importance that once was, has faded away. However, what happened in Bethlehem, which seemed unimportant, has proven to last throughout the ages. Oh, how weak Jesus must have seemed as a baby, and how weak He must have appeared at the end of His life on the cross. Some even scoffed at Him that day on the cross saying: “He saved others, himself he cannot save.”

This was not weakness, this was great strength and love – love for the whole world, and to die that others might be saved from their own sins.

As we look to the day of Christmas we can think of Luke 2 and the Christmas story. The Virgin Mary gives birth to Jesus – Emmanuel. Jesus came as the Savior of the world. He came to seek and to save that which was lost – those lost in spiritual darkness, lost in their sins. Then a few verses later we see Simeon in the temple who had been waiting for the Messiah. He comes upon Jesus, and look at what he says in Luke 2:28-32:

     Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Notice he says a light to lighten the Gentiles. This is what we get to do today. We have the privilege of sharing and spreading the glorious gospel light, Jesus Christ, with the world. Let us look forward to the opportunity of this season to tell others, and let’s focus on the New Year ahead of us and all the opportunities God will give us to serve Him on the mission field.

-by Jon Konnerup, Mission Director