January 1st 2000 looms ever closer and it's time to join the Beatles in saying Hello, Goodbye.

We can only celebrate the dawn of the third Millennium by looking back to the start of the first. The majority of the world's calendar revolves around the arrival on earth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Hence we have B.C. - Before Christ and A.D. Anno Domini, Latin for in the year of our Lord.

Society in general is full of opposing concepts… good and evil, love and hatred, war and peace, depression and joy, death and life. And opposites are very much a part of the way that Jesus lived. To those who were hated and rejected, Jesus offered unconditional love and acceptance. To those who were sorry for, and turned from, their wrongdoings, Jesus gave forgiveness.

Above all, Jesus died on the cross and then came back to life. In doing this he gave everyone the possibility of moving from a temporary, unfulfilled existence leading to eternal separation from God, to a permanent abundant life leading to an eternal inseparable relationship with God… from lifeless death to deathless life. Doesn't that give real significance to the Millennial celebrations?

As Churches Together in Ashtead, we have widely differing histories, but we worship the same God through the same resurrected Lord Jesus and in the power of the same Holy Spirit.

Together we and all other Christians shall continue to celebrate Anno Domini, and proclaim forgiveness, peace, hope and eternal life with God through Jesus Christ and Him alone.

May God richly bless you in the New Year and for ever.

The clergy of the Churches Together in Ashtead.

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