During this season of the year, we spend time intentionally focused on the coming of Jesus, our Savior. Churches celebrate the birth of Jesus because with the benefit of hindsight, we know the difference Jesus makes in the world. Because He came, the destructive decay sin inflicts on creation will ultimately be reversed. 

The work of God through Jesus inspires His creation to begin singing new songs, “for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory” (Psalm 98:1). Indeed, when John was given a glimpse of Heaven, he recorded that everyone fell down before the Lamb, “and they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9, 10). 

Jesus has become “the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling” (Hebrews 12:24). Everyone who has placed faith in Jesus Christ “is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). New creations in Jesus have been given a new command to “love one another,” by which “shall all men know” that they are His disciples. While believers practice love for one another, they faithfully await His return and reign, the culmination of which will include a new Heaven and earth. “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5). God will perform “a new thing,” making “a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19). 

Through Jesus, God redeems and restores us to our originally created purposes. While we eagerly anticipate the return of our Savior, may we be faithful to accomplish the new command He gave His churches, namely, loving one another as He has loved us. At the start of a new year and as new creations of God through Jesus, may we put off the old man with the works of the flesh and put on the new man, “which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). 

Respectfully submitted, 

Mark Clements 

Editor in Chief