Jesus' Family Album December 31 Devotional

REVELATION 21:1-5 | ¹ Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. ² And I saw the holy city, the new
Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among
mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; ⁴ he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’ ⁵ And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’

The world wants to believe in the new and the wonderful, in the gift of possibility that comes with the turn of the calendar. The world wants, desperately, to believe the new year will really be new. Yet the desire for the new will disappoint us unless both we and the world have a different future. Unless we change into different creatures we won’t be ready for a new kingdom, a different world, a reign of peace and justice and joy. Unless the world changes the same old discords and wars, the familiar deception and lies, the exploitation and the division, the idolatry and narcissism, will predominate once more. Only Christianity has an answer both individual and cosmic, both a gospel of salvation for you and I, and new Kingdom coming.

What is one way you want to be new in this New Year?

Gracious God,

Fit me for your Kingdom. Show me what needs to change, to shift, to evolve, to grow. I ask in the name of the coming King, Jesus.

Amen.