It’s almost cliché. Each January, year after year, the news media devote considerable space and time to reflections on the events of the previous 12 months, and talk of resolutions for the coming 12.

While the idea of making New Year’s resolutions obviously continues to hold broad appeal, it seems many people are giving up altogether on creating goals each January.

Perhaps the reason for their apathy is rooted in sentiments similar to those expressed by the 18th century writer Samuel Johnson, who prayed, “Almighty and most merciful Father, I again appear in Thy presence the wretched misspender of another year which Thy mercy has allowed me.”

But as a friend and colleague recently reminded me, seasons of fresh resolve are important to frail humanity. And having the opportunity to begin anew can be nothing less than a gift of grace.

Certainly an important part of the process that gives birth both to fresh resolve and to new ideas for tackling old challenges, is taking time to reflect on the past.

There have been many stories covered in these pages from the province of Ontario that offer abundant inspiration.

It was in the aftermath of the worst flooding in Peterborough’s history, for example, that an ecumenical group, made up of local churches and Christian organizations, became the primary supplier of volunteer clean-up assistance to the city.

In Oakville, a church with a large building and an aging, struggling congregation determined after much prayer that God wanted them to donate their land and facility (valued at $10 million) to another local congregation who were younger and growing and who needed a building. The two congregations amalgamated and a new church, Harvest Bible Chapel Oakville, was born. They’ve never looked back. Since their inaugural service in April, they’ve grown substantially, moved to two services on Sundays and launched a small group ministry.

In Port Credit, West Edge Community Church recently opened a community outreach centre that offers, among other things, a support group for children whose parents are going through divorce. That program has now given rise to a similar support group for the parents themselves.

It was also at West Edge that an entire Sunday service one week was devoted to holding a seminar with Ward Gasque, who discussed the best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code. Pastor Jon Osmond tells me they are continually trying to find innovative ways to connect with the culture, and to create a culture within the church that helps people connect to God.

In Mississauga, a city of almost 50 per cent first generation immigrants, a four-year-old cell-based congregation decided that rather than pour their money and resources into a church building and programs for themselves, they’d pour them into a community centre for new immigrants. The Gateway Centre for New Canadians was born, and now offers programs from English instruction to driver training to pick-up sports. In coming to the community centre, people are coming to Christ.

The Sanctuary, a large, multi-site church that meets in five locations throughout southern Ontario responded last year to the opportunity for outreach they believed would come through The Passion of the Christ movie. Members purchased 4,000 tickets and handed them out to the community for free, while inviting people to join small home-based discussion groups to talk about the film in the weeks afterwards.

For those who like a framework around which to work out their faith, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is planning Celebration 2005, to encourage us all to find imaginative ways to celebrate the love of God through practical expressions of that love within our communities.

Clearly, there are many Christians—both individually and collectively—confronting the formidable challenges of our time and culture with energy, enthusiasm and creativity.

The year ahead promises to offer no less in the way of opportunity to make a difference in our world to the glory of God. For the poor and the poor in spirit are with us still, and Jesus tarries.

At the outset of this New Year, we would be wise to add our voices to another line in Johnson’s prayer; “Impart to me good resolutions, and give me strength and perseverance to perform them.”