My dear friends
Indeed, our times are in God's hand!
For the last four years I've wondered if I'd be around the
following year to convey Christmas and New Year greetings. Here am I again with my crew
working on the cards. Incidentally, this time the project is led by our one and only Jenny
CHRISTMAS!
To be honest with you, I regret the heavy commercialisation
of the blessed season. How tragic that a sideshow successfully detracts from the most
important event in the history of mankind! God came down and became one of us in order to
redeem and reconcile us to Himself.
Just imagine how glorious it would be if at this time from
shore to shore grateful hearts would join in such songs as "Oh what a wonderful,
wonderful day ...!"
Listen as they 'swell the great chorus',
"Heaven came down and glory filled my
soul ..."
As we think of Christmas we are reminded that a week later
we'll be crossing the threshold that marks the end of 2004 and the beginning of 2005.
Somehow when I think of stepping over into the New Year my
mind automatically switches over to the beautiful poem by Marie Louise Haskins, 'The Gate
Of The Year'.
The Gate Of The Year
I said to the man
who stood at the gate of the year,
'Give me a light that I may tread safely
into the unknown.'
And he replied,
'Go out into the darkness
and put your hand into the hand of God.
That shall be to you
better than light
and safer than a known way!'
So I went forth
and finding the Hand of God,
trod gladly into the night.
Oh that we'd put our hand into His Hand - year in, year out!
To you and your family, a blessed Christmas and a
Christ-filled New Year.
Pressing on!
In His love
Fano Sibisi
