Canter Bridge

Here in Indianapolis, the sun will set on the year 2016 in ten minutes. And counting.

It has been an extraordinary year, both personally and for our human race.

When it has not driven us to distraction or drawn despair too near for comfort, it has thrown up glimpses of new things and fresh possibilities. It’s an easy thing to say, bereft of historical discipline, but I’ll say it anyway: This has been a year like no other.

Meanwhile, the Bible’s last chapter reminds me that we are neither the first nor perhaps the last to groan for a day with no darkness, a year’s end with no threatening penumbra.

And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5 ESV)

The seer John’s vision of a life-giving proximity to ‘the Lord God’ that removes mediation is part of a wider vision that is continuous with what we know here and now, but relieved of the Curse that afflicts us.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:1–5 ESV)

All is provided. Nothing lacks.

All is pure and clear, all is life.

No more night.