It is the custom, in some countries, on New Year's Eve, to take the time to make "resolutions" for the coming year. The tradition involves meditating on one's values, and setting new goals, with a plan of behaviour for the future.

On this New Year's Eve, we have one of the most beautiful Gospel readings of the year, a reading that will help us in our meditation and resolutions - to begin a fresh year renewed. We are reminded that the Word has become flesh in Jesus who is our Light and Life. It is Jesus who enlightens our value-system, a value-system that is surrounded and attacked by materialism, injustice and violence.

John, the Gospel writer, reminds us so clearly that we are "of God". It then follows that we should be "light" and "life" to others. In the beginning was the Word that finds its dwelling in Jesus so that now we see God! As a violent world thrashes around for power and meaning amid many wars, wouldn't it be wonderful if that world could see God in us?