Dear friends,

 One of the things about the coming of a new year is how your mind is concentrated, at least for a while, on the year past and the year to come. Most people I talk to say how quickly time seems to go. It 's certainly true that a year can seem like nothing, especially when you look at the news reviews and realise how much you've forgotten that actually happened over the last year. Disasters, celebrations, deaths and births are all easily forgotten unless they were very personal to us. The trouble is, of course, we're exposed to so much news cover that we can easily let most of it go over our heads. And at New Year we hope that whatever was bad will simply pass into history and the next year will bring good things.

 There's nothing wrong with having hope, of course. Indeed, hope is a vital part of being human. Without hope we only have despair and meaninglessness. People will be hoping for all kinds of things this year: good things to happen in their family, decent prospects in the face of recession, excitement in relationships perhaps, holidays to look forward to. One thing is sure about living in this world though, and that's that you can't be sure about anything!

 Whatever this year brings, for a Christian there is always something that's sure, and that is God's love for us. A follower of Christ, just like anyone else, doesn't know details of what life will bring. The difference is that we walk by faith, knowing that even should things happen to us that are not apparently good, our ultimate destiny is tied up in the One who loves us and has a plan for us. That plan is to know him better and to share his love with others. In the Bible the writer to the Hebrews says, 'Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.' Certainty doesn't mean we know everything will always be rosy - it means trusting in the goodness of someone who has our best interests at heart.

 I don't know what 2012 will bring, not for me, my family, for the church or for the world. I pray it will be a good year, but I also pray that whatever happens the name of my Saviour will be lifted high in my own life and that of those I meet. I pray that many will come to know him for the first time. I pray too for my brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer for their faith, that the name of Jesus will be lifted high still in their lives and those who oppress them will turn from their hatred of the name Jesus. In our own country, that name is hated by some, ignored by most, used wrongly by many. Like me, you may have enjoyed watching some things on television over Christmas. I wonder how many people spotted the irony of the name 'Jesus' being used as a swearword at least three times in 'Outnumbered' on, of all times, Christmas Eve. When you believe his name to be higher than any other, the Lord of all, it grates enormously to hear it used in that way. They used to call it blasphemy, but now we're told such things are normal and acceptable. Does it have to be so?

 Maybe 2012 will see Christians in this country having to defend their faith even more against opposition. There are certainly those who have an agenda that goes beyond just letting standards in the media slip. I for one believe that faith in Christ is not in the end about defending anything. There's actually no need to 'defend' the Good News we proclaim, because it's powerful enough to speak for itself. All it requires is for brave and bold people to share it with others. Will you be bold enough to stand up and be counted in this over the next year? Will you say that whatever happens you're 'sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see'? Will you lift high, come what may, the name that is above all names? You may find the prospect scary, but I can guarantee that if you go even half way to fulfilling what I'm talking about you won't have a dull year!

 A very happy and blessed New Year to you.

 With best wishes,

 Anthony.

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