A Fresh Start

What a way to usher in the New Year! Last night at the stroke of 12, we could hear and see the the bright display of fireworks from our house. My wife and I switched off the lights in the house so that we could enjoy the spectacular fireworks, which lasted for a full 18 minutes. And this morning, how marvelous it is to wake up and behold the snow shower; everywhere and everything covered in white. Add to that, the fresh and crisp air! Truly, what a joy to behold the beauty of God's creation. We will start the New Year by giving thanks and praising Him!

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Yesterday, I took out the dictionary from the shelf and looked up "NEW". It means "that which is not old". Not exactly what I was hoping to find. But interestingly, the dictionary also provides the meanings to three closely related terms, NEW, FRESH and NOVEL.

• NEW applies to that which has not been long in existence: a new broom, dress (one recently made or bought).
• FRESH suggests a condition of newness, not yet affected by the use or the passage of time; a fresh towel, dress (newly clean)
• NOVEL suggests newness that has an unexpected quality, or is strange or striking, but generally pleasing: a novel experience, dress (a dress of unusual design, or line like).

NAREIT (National Assocition of Real Estate Investment Trusts) daily update also had the following quotation, which I find is a timely reminder for us as we start the new year:

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." (Benjamin Franklin, politician, inventor and author)

File photo: Imperial Palace, Tokyo (Jan 1, 2007)

Last year, we spent the New Year visiting the Imperial Palace in Tokyo and caught a rare glimpse of the royal family. This year, we will be attending a luncheon hosted by the Ambrose family.

Christian Reflection:

"And who would use old wineskins to store new wine? For the old skins would burst with the pressure and the wine would be spilled and the skins ruined. Only new wineskins are used to store new wine. That way both are preserved." - Matthew 9:17.

I read the above verse and ponder over its relevance as we move into a new year. In the Bible times, wine was not kept in glass bottles but in goat skins sewn around the edges to form watertight bags. New wine expanded as they are fermented, stretching its wineskin. After the wine has aged, the stretched wine skin would burst if more new wine was poured into it. Therefore, new wineskin was always put into new wineskins.

At the start of a new year, it is good to be reminded that we, Christians, can become rigid in our ways - how we look at life and people. Like old wine skins, our hearts can become rigid and prevent us from accepting the new life that Christ is offering us. Our life should not be so set that there is no room for a fresh touch of the Spirit. Therefore, we need to keep our heart pliable and open to accepting the life-changing truths of Jesus Christ. This fresh start is available to all who believe in Christ.