Celebrating God’s Goodness in 2021

What a year!

It’s had some good patches—all those weeks when we weren’t in Lockdown Alert Level 4, 3 or 2. It’s had an absolute nadir. No, not the worst part of Covid Delta’s grip on Aotearoa New Zealand. The nadir, for me, has been the plight of Afghani girls and women after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. But between the good patches and the nadir have been challenges and uncertainties. And here in the Diocese of Christchurch we haven’t even had the worst of it—Auckland has had a very hard time. We could all agree, across all our regions, that this year has been gruelling and tiring. So, what might it mean to celebrate God’s goodness in 2021?

It might mean that we focus on who God is, even in the most difficult times. Focus, that is, on God who is faithful and steadfast in love for us, on God whose mercies are renewed every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). We may find we are inspired by Habbakuk who joyfully observed that, “Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines … yet will I rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the God of my salvation” (Hab 3:17-18). It is also true that there are many things to be grateful for and for which to give praise and glory to God.

Challenging though this year has been, we have been able to connect with each other through amazing technology. In record time, a vaccine against the virus has been developed, purchased and made available to the NZ “Team of five million”. (I was very impressed with the efficiency of the centre I went to for my two jabs and am grateful for the servant attitude of all the staff I encountered.) Our Prime Minister, Government, Parliamentarians, Ministry of Health and local Hospital Boards have striven mightily to encourage and exhort us to be vaccinated. Thousands of “essential workers” have worked through every Alert Level to ensure that we have had food, drink, fuel, medical supplies and other necessary goods and services made available to us. Thank you, God, for the provision of our needs!

The old hymn exhorts us to “Count your blessings, name them one by one…”, (page 31). Let’s do that at the end of 2021! As we do so, my prayer is that we discover the reasons to celebrate God’s goodness far outweigh our memories of the challenges and difficulties of 2021. But in the midst of celebration there must be intercession. Let’s pray for the girls and women of Afghanistan—for all people around the globe for whom the end of 2021 feels bleak and fearful. As the Season of Christmas draws the year to a close, we both celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and continue the prayers of Zechariah and of Mary that the powerful will be brought down from their thrones, the lowly will be lifted up and those in darkness will be given light (Luke 1:46-79).

A very Merry Christmas and a Joyful New Year to all readers!