My English teacher at school seemed to have eyes in the back of her head. She always saw what I was up to.

Every New Year’s Day I acquire the same skill.

I look backwards as well as forwards. I remember what has gone, as well as looking forward to what will be.

This year, more than most, I look back with sadness at the hurts and challenges of 2020, but with great hope that 2021 might be different. And I do it with the God who, in Christ, gives light to those who dwell in darkness, even those in the shadow of death. God’s eyes and heart behold the hopes and fears of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Christ is always the light in the darkness. In him we make sense of our place in the journey of the passing years. He holds out to us a lantern, lighting our path through whatever lies ahead.