One of the prophecies of the coming of Christ was that he would give light to those who sit in darkness and guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1).
What does it mean to be guided into the way of peace?

When I think about peace right now, I can’t help but think about the loss of life and destruction in Ukraine. I can’t help but think about the Middle East—this ongoing conflict that never seems to end. And closer to home, I think about recent school shootings…

And then, even closer, I can’t help but think about the signs I’ve seen in restaurants informing customers that their servers will not tolerate abuse. We’ve seen it also on airplanes and in schools. In fact, I was at a local hospital the other day, and posted right up front, as you walk in the door, there is a large sign that reads, “Our hospital is a healing environment. Aggressive behavior will not be tolerated.”

Why do we need to post signs? Far too often these days, people are forgetting not only common courtesy but human decency. They are forgetting that these are fellow human beings…

Some of this is out of our hands. But not all of it. For those who are following the Prince of Peace, haven’t we been called to a higher standard?

I am reminded of the way in which our faith both blesses us and summons us… It calls out the better side of our humanity. It calls us to move beyond ourselves. Again and again, the Bible tells us: think about the other, the stranger, the outsider…

Our faith summons us not only to receive peace and blessing but to be a blessing and to bring peace.

This raises the question: Even when I might be feeling anger or frustration or outrage, am I able to live up to this higher calling? Am I able to refrain not only from violence of fist, but also of tongue and of heart? If there is a real problem, are there constructive ways I can confront it without aggression or violence? And to take it even a step further, is there some way I might be a peacemaker in the given situation?

In this new year, 2026, I pray that Christ would indeed guide us in the way of peace. May his peace come upon us, and work in us, and even through us.

Let us pray: Holy God, you came as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. As we have been blessed, so too may we be a blessing. Work first in our hearts, and then in our lives, that your will may be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Ingratitude is a serious shortcoming. I agree with Martin Luther that “unthankfulness is theft.” In his Inferno, Dante placed in the center of his hell not those guilty of fleshy sins, but morose, gloomy, ungrateful men and women. Shakespeare wrote in “As You Like It:”

“Blow, blow, thou winter wind,
Thou art not so unkind
As man’s ingratitude.”

An elderly mother was bedridden with her final illness. The three married children, two sons, and a daughter were called to her bedside. Conscious but weak, the mother smiled weakly at their presence. One of the sons bent over and said, “You’ve been a good mother.” With a sigh, the mother whispered, “Do you mean that?” “Of course, you have,” all three children joined in. The mother’s voice came again very faintly, “I didn’t know. You never said it before, and I didn’t know.” Unfortunately, some live a long time before they ever say thanks to God or another person for the blessing of human kindness. Sometimes the expression of gratitude comes as a surprise, yes, even a shock. A lady boarded a crowded commuter train. A man rose to give her his seat. She was so surprised, she fainted. When she came to, she thanked him for the seat. Then he fainted. Remember, the apostle Paul reminds us, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Let us pray: Loving God, we thank you for grateful people who care; a friendly visit, a listening ear, a funny card, a warm letter, a long-distance call, an e-mail, a bouquet of flowers, a book of inspiration. Thank you, Lord, for the ordinary days of simple pleasures and quiet charm; and for those extraordinary days of laughing and weeping when the drama and depth of life touch and warm our hearts. May gratitude for your amazing grace and unconditional love fall frequently from our lips. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Some time ago, my friend Hunter preached on the passage in Luke about John the Baptist’s father Zechariah. Zechariah was an old man when the angel Gabriel announced to him that he would have a son. His wife Elizabeth had been barren all her life, and she was very old. Zechariah seemed to have his doubts, and Gabriel struck him mute for his disbelief.

Hunter reminded us, “Never doubt the power of God.” Never doubt the power of God, for with God, all things are possible! This does not mean that God is going to answer our prayers exactly when and how we’d like. No. But it does mean that with God, there are no dead ends.

Let us pray: God of New Beginnings, we claim the promise that with you all things are possible. We lift up to you now the concerns of our hearts. Some of us are struggling with financial burdens or with family problems. Some of us are coping with health concerns or broken relationships. We ask you to give us the strength and courage we need to get through the day. Breathe new hope and peace into our lives, and help us to trust. Help us to trust you. Fill us with your grace, and grant us eyes to see your light that is breaking in—even now. Amen.

In Psalm 119 we read, “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light unto my path.”

If you read the entire Psalm, all 176 verses, you would find over and over and over again it’s praising God for the gift of scripture. Throughout this psalm, there are also sections of prayer asking God for ongoing guidance and change of heart. The prayers are repetitive:
Teach me.
Give me understanding.
Lead me in your paths.
Give me life in your ways.

The psalmist believes that our faith offers us a path, a way of life that is lived in harmony, or in tune, with the Creator of the Universe. And our scriptures teach us how to live that path.

Years ago, a retired pastor was helping part-time in our church. I remember he would come into the office some days so excited about something he’d read that morning in the Bible—some new insight he had gleaned. Inevitably, he’d want to share it. I thought it was beautiful that God still spoke to him in new ways through the Bible—even after fifty years of preaching, teaching, and studying. What a treasure.

I pray that in your own life, it would be a gift as well—more than just a book that sits on your shelf or in a church pew. I pray that you would open it, read it, soak it in, and be comfortable in it. And may you find that as you do, God will lead you, equip you, change you, and speak to you through it.

Let us pray: O Ancient of Days, God of this very moment. We have set this time aside for you. We’ve put our lives on pause because we know that you created us to be in communion with you. We ask your Spirit to rest on us. Grant us open hearts and a desire to meet you in your ancient—yet living—word. Amen.

Rev. Tony Campolo once wrote about a study in which fifty people over the age of ninety-five were asked one question: “If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?” It was an open-ended question, and it received a wide variety of answers. However, three answers consistently reemerged and dominated the results. They were:

If I had it to do over again…
I would reflect more.
I would risk more.
I would do more things that would live on after I am dead.

That’s interesting, isn’t it? As you think back over your life, I hope you don’t have too many regrets. If we are open to God’s healing grace, and if we are willing to do some reflection, many of our past experiences can ultimately lead us to be more compassionate, generous, faithful, and loving human beings.

Looking forward, it is never too late to reflect a little more, to risk a little more, and to do a few things that will live on after we die.

As we sit on the edge of this new year, I do hope you will spend some time in reflection. I wonder where God may be asking you to step out in faith and to make an impact.

Let us pray: O God of ages past, O God of years to come, we thank you for your faithfulness to us throughout the journey of life. We thank you for the experiences we have had in life and for your ever-redeeming grace. Help us today to hear from you. Open our hearts to any new opportunities you might have in store for us. Empower us to live and give fully. We ask in Christ’s name. Amen.