When people get together, they often great each other with a handshake. The origins of the handshake are not quite clear. But it is thought to have originated as a gesture of peace - by demonstrating that the hand holds no weapon.

I found a description of an interesting custom, which involves a handshake at Iceland's Supreme Court. Each day, before the judges begin work, they shake hands. Why? The handshakes are intended to show that any disagreements or ill feelings from the previous day's work are over, and everyone is facing a new day with a positive attitude.

In worship, we have a corresponding custom. Each Sunday, before we go the Altar to receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, we share the sign of peace. Most commonly, we do that by shaking each other's hands. The placement of the sign of peace, however, still confuses some people who think it comes too late to say "Hello," or too early to say "Goodbye." The purpose of this sign is not to extend a greeting. Its purpose is deeper than a greeting: it should be seen as a gesture, with which we ask each other to forgive us our disagreements or ill feelings before we approach - together - the Altar. As such, the sign of peace expresses the desire for peace, love, unity, and reconciliation of those who are baptized in Christ.

As we begin a new year, we should also make it a custom to ask God, on a daily basis, for the forgiveness of our sins. Of course, we cannot physically shake hands with God. But we can come to God, every morning anew, in prayer. As we fold our hands, we may want to commit ourselves into God's care who holds us in his hands.

Luther's "Morning Blessing" can serve as a good starting point into each new day. He writes in The Small Catechism (in: The Book of Concord; Kolb and Wengert [editors], page 363), "In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the sign of the holy cross and say: 'God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.'

"Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer. If you wish, you may in addition recite this little prayer as well:

"'I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have protected me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you that you would also protect me today from sin and all evil, so that my life and actions may please you completely. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.'

"After singing a hymn perhaps (for example, one on the Ten Commandments) or whatever else may be your devotion, you are to go to your work joyfully."
 
Joyfully, let us start a new year. Joyfully, let us serve the Lord, every day! Yours in Christ Jesus,
 
Bjoern E. Meinhardt, Pastor