What Will Manifest in 2017?

As I reflect on the last few days and the climax of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I think about how tempting it is to box up the feelings and story just like we will box up the tree ornaments and decorations. Some may leave them up until Epiphany and some may already be taking down the tree. But regardless of when it happens, pretty much everybody will put all the Christmas things away, ready to move on to the next thing.

This coming Sunday we begin a new year, fresh with possibility and, hopefully, still with the messages of the angels ringing in our ears – the tidings of great joy for all people that changed the world that first Christmas and continue to change the world. Living in this predominantly post-Christian time, we have responsibility to continue to work together as the body of Christ. At Christmas, Jesus came to dwell with us as Emmanuel – God with us. And now we have become, individually and collectively, the place where God dwells. We have become part of God’s Incarnation through our faith in Jesus.

On facebook recently, I noticed one of those quizzes that pop up from time to time and tend to fairly quickly fizzle out. This particular quiz asked the question – What will you manifest in 2017? The only answer I remember now as being given for someone was the word ‘strength’. The more I thought about this, the more I loved the idea. Some families choose a word or intention for the year or challenge their kids to do this. Some even pick a scripture verse to be a theme for the year. But the idea of what we manifest was a neat concept to me.

We all manifest something. We all bring something to the world and to our relationships. What we manifest can serve God’s purposes, point to God’s love and grace, and witness to Jesus’ life and ministry. Or it can spread cynicism and darkness, complaints and negativity. We can manifest boredom or purpose. We can manifest hope and faith or despair and gloom.

So in this in-between time, after we’ve eaten all the turkey and celebrated and we hopefully have a bit of breathing space before 2017 begins, I challenge you to take the time to pray and reflect on what you will be intentional about in the coming year. What will you strive to manifest to the world? How will you allow God to bless others through you? How will you open yourself to God’s purposes and stay attentive to God’s voice?

There is certainly a lot that we could be gloomy about, and the news is full of depressing stories, legitimate concern about where we are headed and the worst of human behaviour. But, we are people who had walked in darkness who have seen a great light. We carry the light of Christ with us, and the darkness has never overcome the Light.

Think not only about what you will manifest in your home and within yourself, but also where you work and with your ministries to children and youth. What words do you hope will describe these programs and relationships for the coming year? How will Jesus be made known and His love lived out in how your programs run? This is a great opportunity to take a breath and step back, looking to see whether things are going how you would like, and to encourage your learners to refine what is happening where needed.

What will you manifest for the glory of God in the coming year? How will your life be an altar of praise to the One who has lifted you out of darkness? How will Christ be made known through you?

May you experience rich blessings and the Peace of Christ in 2017!