Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we step into 2026, may we walk not with anxious hearts shaped by uncertainty, but with faithful lives anchored in God’s enduring presence and purpose. The words of the prophet Habakkuk offer us a deeply honest and hope-filled lens through which to reflect on our life as a community and as disciples of Christ:
“Though the fig tree does not blossom,
and no fruit is on the vines…
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will exult in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength.”Habakkuk 3:17–19
These words were not written in times of ease or abundance. They arise from uncertainty, loss, and waiting. And yet, they speak powerfully to us today.
1. Faith That Faces Reality, Not Fantasy
“Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines…”
Habakkuk begins not with denial, but with truth. Faith does not require us to pretend that everything is flourishing when it is not. Empty branches, barren vines, and unanswered questions are named honestly before God.
As a Church and as individuals, we too experience seasons when growth feels slow, resources feel limited, or hopes feel deferred. Faithfulness does not mean ignoring these realities; it means bringing them honestly into God’s presence. The Bible gives us permission to speak truthfully about struggle—without shame and without fear.
2. Joy That Is Rooted, Not Reactive
“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.”
The word yet is the turning point of this passage. Habakkuk’s joy is not a reaction to improved circumstances, but a decision grounded in trust. This is not shallow optimism; it is resilient faith.
Christian joy is not dependent on what surrounds us, but on who holds us. When our rejoicing is anchored in God’s faithfulness rather than our success, it becomes steady and sustaining. Such joy bears quiet witness to a world searching for hope that lasts.
True joy is often found not in what we gain, but in whom we serve. When we reach out to the marginalised, the forgotten, and the vulnerable, we discover that service enlarges the heart and deepens our faith. In giving time, compassion, and dignity to others, we encounter Christ himself, and our own lives are quietly transformed with a joy that is rooted not in comfort, but in love.
3. Salvation Bigger Than the Moment
“I will exult in the God of my salvation.”
Habakkuk’s confidence lies not in immediate outcomes, but in God’s saving relationship. Salvation here is not instant relief—it is enduring presence. God’s work of salvation often unfolds slowly, shaping hearts, sustaining communities, and restoring dignity even when visible results are delayed.
As we look ahead, we are reminded that God’s purposes for us are deeper than quick fixes and broader than measurable success. We trust a God who is at work even when we cannot yet see the full picture.
4. Strength for the Road, Not Escape from It
“God, the Lord, is my strength.”
God does not promise a path without difficulty, but strength to walk it. This strength is not merely endurance; it is grace for compassion, courage for service, and perseverance for faithful witness.
As a congregation, we move forward together—not because the way is easy, but because God is faithful. Strength is given daily, sufficiently, and generously for the journey ahead.
Habakkuk invites us into a faith that is honest, joyful, hopeful, and resilient. As we continue this journey together, may we learn to rejoice not because every fig tree blossoms, but because God remains our salvation and our strength.
May the Lord who calls us be faithful in the year ahead.
With prayer and hope,
Vinod Victor
January 1, 2026
Freiburg Anglican Church 
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