December is often a time for reflection as the year draws to a close and we look to the next, especially over those last few days between the 27th and the New Year. We may find ourselves weighing up how things have been; what has and hasn’t happened, what we have and haven’t done.
When Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman starred in ‘The Bucket List’, a film about two terminally ill men who decide to fulfil their last wishes, they helped to popularise writing, often once in a lifetime, ambitions to be met and marked complete. Many of us find working out plans and achieving goals is incredibly satisfying; we are made for purposeful living and to enjoy the fruits of the Earth. But before we go ahead with thinking about what’s next for 2026, let’s pause to take stock.
In our namesake St Luke’s Gospel, we find Jesus’s mother Mary, reflecting on God’s work in her life through the Magnificat. With an outpouring of gratitude, Mary says,
For He who is mighty has done great things for me Luke 1:49
In this simple yet powerful verse, Mary is expressing her individual blessings, and echoing many of ours, in a long, encompassing, and beautiful catalogue of praise – an early example of a reverse bucket list?
Christian gratitude is about counting our blessings, recognising we are not alone, acknowledging God’s hand, the gifts he has bestowed on us, and giving him glory. It can be all too easy to misinterpret our part to play. Ours is not a transactional relationship with God; we do not have to give in exchange before we can receive. We may not get what we want from our prayer, Christmas, or bucket list by a long chalk, going to God is not a case of presenting another type of list – the shopping one. However, God is and remains unceasingly benevolent, and we can be assured that his mercy, love and grace are always promised to those who ask.
The turning to God sounds simple, but even with a degree of faith, this can of course be complicated. Emotions like anger, fear or sorrow can be consuming; they may form barriers, and we aren’t ready to share our thoughts, let alone invite God into situations. The technical assurance he is always readily available does not always match our readiness to reach out. Struggle is not a failure of faith, but part of our humanity as illustrated by the biblical patterns and stories of followers – children, working people, elders, teachers, preachers, poets, priests, parents, prophets, saints and all who have gone before us.
And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. Luke 22:17
Here we read of Christ’s example of giving thanks to God at the last supper, despite his knowing the darkest day lay next. He also gives his disciples a gift, sharing the cup in receipt and remembrance of him to do ever after.
Whatever is happening for us this year, may our souls magnify the Lord that bit more and our spirits rejoice in the fulfilment of God our Saviour as we celebrate His coming, receive Jesus anew and recount our ultimate blessing.