Fresh Start

From Hope UMC’s Weekly Meditation:
First Sunday after Christmas - Week of December 31, 2006
"Fresh Start"
Readings selected by Rev. Michelle Hargrave

Weekly Lectionary Readings:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Psalm 148
Colossians 3:12-17
Luke 2:41-52

Readings for Reflection:
This day is a new day that has never been before.
This year is a new year, the opening door.
Enter, Lord Christ,
we have joy in Your coming.
You have given us life and we welcome Your coming.
I turn now to face You. I lift up my eyes. Be blessing my face, Lord,
Be blessing my eyes.
May all my eye looks on be blessed and be bright.
My neighbours, my loved ones be blessed in Your sight.
You have given us life and we welcome Your coming.
Be with us, Lord, we have joy, we have joy.
This year is a new year, the opening door.
Be with us, Lord, we have joy, we have joy.
-- New Year Prayer from Celtic Night Prayer

I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen -- John Wesley, “Covenant Prayer”

Questions to Meditate on:
• How do you observe the ending of one year and the beginning of the next?
• How does this new year give you a fresh start in life?
• What else gives you a fresh start? What helps you make a new beginning?
• What do you wish to leave behind you from 2006? How does God help?
• What do you wish to make new in 2007? How can God help you do this?