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Auld Lang Syne
December 31, 2011

School teachers like me enjoy a vacation at the end of December because it would be too hard to focus the attention of students and staff during a time when minds think of other pursuits. As a first-century apostolic Christian, I don't celebrate the holidays that are on the minds of most during this season of the year. Though my mind is not focused on these celebratory pursuits, one cannot help but to see this abound in others. Though we know God's calendar has the new year starting in the spring and that the historical Jewish civil calendar started in the fall, this is the time when our modern civil calendar has us conclude one year so the next may begin. For me, 2011 was a great year. I adopted a son and children, including teenagers, are a blessing. As children adapt to a new home it is not always easy and this was a titanic struggle during part of 2011. This struggle is now joy with a mix of teenager. Over the summer, we took a trip to Alaska from Seward to Barrow and by plane, train, boat, automobile, ATV, helicopter, raft, and sled dog team. We decided to get a dog because of our trip, and by chance we selected a dog on the same day the adoption was finalized. I think our dog's favorite movie, if dogs have a favorite movie, is Holes. We have plenty of these in our backyard. A sign reading "Beware of holes dug by dog" is what my yard is missing. I am a teacher and I have a job. We have our health. 2011 was a good year. This is the time when we hope 2012 is a better year. Only God knows. But this time of year reminds me of the scripture from Revelation that describes our new heaven and new earth.

Revelation 21:1-8
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

As we conclude 2011 with doubt of what 2012 may bring, may we look forward to this yet future time foretold in the Bible.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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