A lesson & my thought on a New Year

Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’. Revelation 19:11-16, Morning Prayer for January 1st

The Holy Name of Jesus is a gentle invocation of mercy as long as this world continues, flipping calendar pages and marking time as we know it. I pray for that Name to fill your life with joyful abundance in this New Year.

But let us receive that Name now, while we have time, for on the last day it will be announced with beating drums and bugle calls, and the flash of the sharp blade of truth and justice that carves the new creation.

(More about the Crazy Horse Monument at this link. I find it useful for preaching: People accustomed to pictures of the gentle Shepherd need help to understand that his second coming will be very different from his first walk on the earth - and the emerging monument to the great Lakota Holy Man and Warrior is about the best illustration I've found.)