"Newness"

There’s a magic in the newness,

Of anything, you see,

And a wonder we fall under,

When the new it comes to be.

New places, new possessions,

New chances we receive,

New calling, so enthralling,

When God helps us to believe,

That the past it cannot stop us,

From the new day we are in,

And the power of the hour,

Says now it can begin.

Learn what you can from yesterday,

And visit if you must,

But don’t tarry or you’ll carry,

Too much weight and that’s unjust.

You’re forgiven for what happened,

What you did and didn’t do,

Now a blank sheet, not a repeat,

Is why God is calling you.

We died with Him, now rising,

To a blessed life anew,

We can do it, let’s get to it,

Christ supplies His grace, it’s true.

We recall the ancient story,

Of the Savior when He came,

Bells are ringing, songs we’re singing,

To the glory of His name.

And the new year with its promise,

Is coming for us all,

Lord, we greet it, with joy meet it,

Pray we answer Your great call.

“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now also may we live new lives.” (Romans 6:4, NLT)

Baptism pictures our death to the old life and being raised to walk with Jesus. It’s an outside sign of an inward spiritual grace. Our pastor used to say it when someone was raised up out of the water: “Buried with Christ in baptism, raised to walk in newness of life.” We walk in newness with Jesus. This means that every day He gives us is a new opportunity to know Him and make Him known. By the Spirit we don’t lose the wonder of it all. The story of Christmas is well-rehearsed, but holds new power each time we celebrate it. The same is true of our daily walk with the Lord. Greet Him anew today!

Lord, help us to walk in newness of life, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Jack Sorenson, used by permission. Thanks, Jack, and God bless you.