We have no doubt celebrated the arrival of some lovely Christmas presents. We will now be living our lives in the light of our new Smartphone, our new laptop, our new teddy bear, our new slippers. . All this giving has been in the light of the most amazing Christmas present – the gift of God in Jesus, who has changed the world.

Our Epistle reading from Galatians reminds us that Jesus came at just the right time in the history of the world. The Romans had subdued so much of the civilised world. Roman roads had made travel and communication much easier as Roman troops guarded them. The Greek language and culture had united society and Greek thoughts on God had made a mark. But people were spiritually hungry, longing to know God`s guidance.

Verses 4 and 5 of Galatians 4 detail all that we inherit through the baby in the manger, as followers of Christ. God sent his Son that we might know the status of being a son, as special to God as Jesus. He has given us the Holy Spirit, that we might speak to him in prayer and relate to him as a child of God. As his heir, we inherit all the wonders of heaven. That friendship is reflected in our regularly affirming `Our Father who art in heaven . . .`

In our Old Testament reading, Isaiah speaks of our relationship with God. The Kingdom that God would be of great beauty, like a bride dressed for her wedding, called by a new name, and like a beautiful crown for the Lord. God delights in us his children and invites us into friendship with him. When you and I have our `down` days, we need to lift our thoughts and be enabled to be strengthened in his love.

Our Gospel reminds us that the first Christian converts were ordinary people. It was the shepherds, fearful and confused by a vision of angels. They are prepared to go and examine the truth. They are enthusiastic about telling other people what they have heard and seen, and to sing the praise of God. They had a story to tell. We all have a story to tell which is about an encounter with Jesus, about his presence through the storms, about the reality of answered prayer, about a friendship begun, continued and ending in Him. As we enter a new year, we give thanks that God delights in us and leads us on.

Today is New Year`s Eve. There has been much written about the passing of an old year and the beginning of a new one. The poet Tennyson spoke of it in terms of the ringing out of bells, in his poem entitled `In Memoriam: Ring out, Wild Bells`. The poem was written at a time of great sadness for Tennyson as he mourned the death at only 22 of the young man who had been due to marry his sister. It takes up many of the themes we might link with at new year. Each verse ends with mention of the positive good for which we all yearn. The repeated call to ring out and ring in the bells encourages us that things can change. There are Christmas bells but the hope is for `a thousand years of peace` and for `the Christ that is to be`, not simply as a child in the manger but as the ruling sovereign of the end times. You and I are entrusted with the passing on of that good news, here in Sheringham and in all the places God has put us to minister in his name, in this new year. Let`s be inspired by the poem:-

`In Memoriam: Ring out, Wild Bells` by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809 – 1892)

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light; The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind, For those that here we see no more; Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life; With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,

The faithless coldness of the times; Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes, But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease; Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand, Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be.

(Revd.) Pat Hopkins