Dear Friends,
On behalf of the Staff and Officers of the World Methodist Council, I wish you a happy and blessed New Year!
In many cities around the world, we welcomed 2018 with fireworks or other rituals in rip-roaring style. A new year presents us with new challenges and fresh opportunities for a more meaningful life.
As we celebrate Epiphany, more commonly known as Three Kings, Day let us banish fear and not be threatened by the Herod’s of our day. Let us not fritter away our God-given potential but rather, like the three wise men, let us earnestly and persistently seek out the true King and Saviour of the world. In him, we will find true happiness and the deepest levels of joy. When the wise men found the young Child and his mother, they knelt down and worshipped him offering gifts symbolic of his royalty. Whether we come from the East or West, North or South, whether we have faith or no faith at all, if we come seeking, this King has blessings for all.
The visitors from the East were counted worthy to be included in the Christian Scriptures. Human beings are the signet of God’s creation. We need to live our lives with meaning and purpose. Let us move along to face the future with hope and confidence.
We expect a bright to-morrow.
All will be well;
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
All, all is well;
On our Father’s love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
Then in living or in dying,
All must be well.
Mary Peters : 1813-56
Happy New Year,
Ivan Abrahams
