Our scripture passage this morning tells of the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Israel - the deliverance from Egypt.

Pharaoh and the Egyptians have lost control. At midnight, in the darkness, which Pharaoh cannot control, Yahweh strikes. Nothing in Egypt is protected from the harsh midnight incursion of Yahweh. The empire is now saturated with the reality of death. Pharaoh cannot maintain the life of the empire against the God who gives both life and death.

The extreme brutal loss brings Pharaoh to his first wise decision. He finally gives to Yahweh and Moses all they have been asking. Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron "at night," at the time when he is in least control and subject to the powers of chaos. He summons Moses and Aaron with an urgent imperative - an imperative so urgent that it cannot wait until morning. And, finally Pharaoh speaks the words that he has resisted so long: arise, go out, go worship Yahweh on your own terms.

The departure scene shows the Egyptians acting desperately and frantically, with the Israelites hurriedly, but pointedly taking whatever they are able to carry. They leave with what they can hastily pick up, nothing more than they can carry in their hands and wear on their backs. But it is enough, because they are on their way!

January is here. We too are on our way. If not to a promised land, at least to a promised new year. Unlike the Egyptians I don’t think we tend to be nearly as economical as we hurry off... to a new year, to 2008. We who travel so freely act like inexperienced travelers. We over pack each new year with hope and promise, only to discover by the time we have reached the end of our 12-month trip that we have had to jettison much of this pretty luggage. But that doesn’t stop us from loading up again the next January, fully convinced that this year will be better than the last. This will be the year when so many positive things will happen. How, we sometimes ask can it be worse?

So... I begin my packing for 2008 - I think there’s room next to the shaving kit for this wish: a kinder and gentler presidential election. One that respectfully dialogues the issues and culminates in new, visionary leadership for these troubled times. And inside the shoes, could we squeeze in a mantle of peace to blanket our world? Under the sweater, how about an Olympic Games with sportsmanship so strong and achievements so real that the Olympic spirit gives birth to a competition to feed and care for our hungry planet. Tucked in next to the clerical robe I’m sure there’s room for a new vision of generosity and warm hearted evangelism for Westminster.

Well, there I go loading up the luggage for 2008 with hope and promise and I haven’t even gotten to the Steelers winning another Super Bowl or my finally losing those extra pounds.

This while pondering the Israelites beginning their journey to a new land and considering our own journey to a new year, I recalled a quote - a quote from - I don’t know - I think it was Ralph Waldo Emerson. "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Perhaps the Israelites in their haste got it right. Perhaps all we need for this 12 month journey is what lies within us and what we can hastily pick up in this room before we go.

The Apostle Paul has told us what we need for the journey - what should embody us. Do you remember what he wrote?

"Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting, you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your journey. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing journey. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."

Friends, God does not promise us a perfect 2008. God does not even promise us a stress free 2008, but let us remember that what lies before us is a tiny matter next to what lies within us. Let us remember that what happens along the journey pales in comparison to who we are and whose we are. And, let us also remember the gift of Emmanuel – God is with us on our journey.