New Years is a time in our culture to look back over the past year. Then, based on what we see, make resolutions (resolute commitments) for the year ahead. Beginning a new year in the Lord, provides us a good time to evaluate our commitments to Him and how well we are doing fulfilling them as well.

Commitment is a somewhat forgotten word and concept in the latter part of the 20th century. We live in a society where promises are made and broken in quick succession . . . where we tend to place self and convenience ahead of the needs of another person.

We seem to have developed an extra dose of selfishness and self-centeredness, and that becomes the basis of deciding whether or not we will keep our commitments. Therefore, it could be argued that people are still making commitments, but to all the wrong things. Unfortunately, there is not much difference anymore between those who claim to be Christian and those who don’t. We all fall short of the mark when it comes to making and keeping commitments.

Lewis Smedes, in his book, Caring & Commitment, suggests that if we ever trade in the power to make and keep commitments for the quick fixes of the uncommitted life, we will threaten the whole future of our society as well as that of our own lives. “We cannot survive--we cannot preserve our humanity without making and keeping commitments”.

It may be that you are contemplating going back on a commitment you have made . . .

• It could be as basic as not being there in Church to usher, teach or serve on Sunday morning;
  
• It could be reneging on a promise to take your son or daughter on a special outing;
• It could be as serious as walking out on your marriage;

Martin Luther, the spark of the Protestant Reformation, called John 3:16 "the heart of the Bible, the Gospel in miniature."  It also expresses the true meaning of Christmas -- the reason Jesus, God’s Son, came into this world.  Consider these simple and powerful words:

Another Christmas is upon us and we will soon be deeply entrenched, for better or worse, in all of the traditions and festivities that make this time of year memorable. Soon the day will come, that for children everywhere is shrouded in mysteries like, how could Santa really get down that chimney when a raccoon got stuck in there last year. And, who really cares anyway as long as all of this neat stuff is showing up under our Christmas tree.

Have you ever wondered why such an important event as Christ's entrance into the world would be retro-fitted with flying reindeer, elves, and a jolly old man who grants every child's materialistic fantasy? Believe it or not, the answer is found in Scripture.