Remember how back in 1999 fears spread over the Y2K bug. The bug really wasn’t a computer bug, the way we think of them today. Instead it was a problem with the design of both the hardware and software of older computers, which didn’t allow for the changing over from the year 1999 to the year 2000. It was built into major computer systems when the year 2000 seemed a distant time and place. Only a few recognized the problem it would one day be. For reasons that are not entirely clear, the actual concern did not become widely known, until the new millennium was almost upon us. We worried and fretted over the problem. We wondered if there would be water and electricity come January 1, 2000. Fortunately, a warning issued decades before was finally heard. Around the world emergency fixes were made. Catastrophic failure of public utilities and telecommunications feared by many, did not materialize, except in a very few places.

We never know what a new year will bring us. Some of what we do know is that there will be trials in our lives. Among our circle of family and friends, there will be those who face enormous challenges. Others will confront heartache and sorrow. There will be moments when we climb the high mountains and revel in the accomplishment of long sought dreams. Along the journey, we may well find ourselves in turn, battered, bruised, bloodied, weary and worn by the stresses of life.

Brennan Manning, in his book, “Reflections for Ragamuffins” tells the story of a man who was reading the first chapter of the gospel of John where it is written, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God . . . The Word was made flesh and dealt among us.” As he pondered the passage it seemed to him that God was saying, “Yes, the Word was made flesh. I chose to enter your broken world and limp through life with you.” Manning goes on to say, “On that last day, when we arrive at the Great Mansion in the Sky, many of us will be bloodied, battered, bruised, and limping. But, by God and by Christ, there will be a light in the window and a ‘welcome home’ sign on the door.”

In the birth of Jesus, we witnessed God’s fresh start in our world . . . God coming to live among us, to show us how to live life with integrity and with power. In Jesus, God entered a weary, battered, bruised and limping world. Since Christ’s coming, this planet we live on has never quite been the same. Emmanuel – God with us, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, wrapped in an infant named Jesus. One who chose to live among us, to share in our world and our trials . . . this one came to stay and walk with us each day. We call this gift grace. God’s gift, freely and abundantly available for all . . . God’s welcome sign, put out for all the worlds people. We may not know what the future will bring any of us. We do have this assurance though, whatever we face, we will not limp through this world alone.