At the end of a year that has meant different things for all of us, I want to bring some encouragement to our readers, writes Pastor Paul Kauri of The Arepua Gateway Assembly of God Church.

The people walking in darkness have seen a Great Light, on those living in deep darkness, a light has dawned – Isaiah 9:2, 6 & 7.

For many years now it has been a personal habit of mine to reflect on the year that was, and to ponder, and where possible prepare, for what lies ahead. As we come to the end of another year, we’re entering into a festive season that has been celebrated for hundreds of years. The festive season we call Christmas took humanity from an era called BC (commonly known as Before Christ) into a new era AD (an acronym of a Latin word ‘Ano Domini’, translated as ‘The Year of our Lord’.

This change of era means so much for humanity in terms of the Kingdom of God and its impact on earth and the glorious hope for all creation.

At the end of a year that has meant different things for all of us, I want to bring some encouragement to our readers. For some, this year has seen a change or reduction in work. For others it’s been crazy busy! For some it has allowed more time for enjoying our beautiful islands, for others it’s brought more stress. For some it has increased fear, while for others it has increased faith. For all of us it has brought so much uncertainty, increased pain, and plans left in limbo. Yet for some, it has brought clarity in focus, fullness of faith and an expectation that God is able to, “make all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purposes” Rom 8:28

Therefore, I want to point us back to Christ. He truly is the ‘Reason for this Season’. He is the “Great Light” for those walking in dark times, and for those to whom darkness is an unwanted yet constant friend … hope has dawned.

For it is in this season (as Isaiah writes) that a child is born, the Son is given and who is called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.

He is still the Wonderful Counselor! We can go to Him to be comforted in our times of darkness, pain and loss. He still comforts us in our troubles (2 Cor 1:4)

He is still Mighty God! He is able to save us when we think all is lost.

He is our Everlasting Father! He treats us as His children, for that’s who we are!

He is still Prince of Peace, and we can rest in His peace in these uncertain times.

I want to share with you my reflections of this year and what I see in 2022 and the years to come.

Reflections on 2021: God was with us this year (Tania and I and our family) as He has been every other year with all its high’s and low’s. He was the Constant and Consistent in a changing and challenging year, our Rock when everything else was unstable, our Peace in a world filled with fear, our Wisdom as we led our family and church family, our Hope when things were uncertain, our Comfort and Joy when things were looking dark.

Looking to 2022: So as I look ahead to 2022, we are still making plans, whether they come to pass or whether we make detours along the way does not matter, for we are only concerned for one thing and one thing only … that we follow God all the days of our lives, seeking first His Kingdom and His Righteousness.

This is what I see, and this is what I would encourage you in:

We will keep our hands in the hand of the One who said, “I am the Way – follow Me”.

We listen to the counsel of the One who said, “I am the Truth – listen to Me”.

And that we live in the One who said, “I am the Life – remain in Me”.

Jesus is the One I am talking of, and He is the One to whom I point as I encourage you to find Hope in Him. Amen.

God bless and welcome to the festive season where the world celebrates the time when Jesus, stepped into our world, to bring hope for all, under His Lordship.

I leave the closing word’s to Isaiah and his testimony of Jesus.

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

• Isaiah 9:6&7