Numbers 6:22-27 The LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, `This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “` “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ‘ “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Another New Year lay before us. Let us first of all thank God for the gift of this coming year, and place it at the feet of our God who created time and entered it in the person of His Son, ask His blessing upon this year, and receive that blessing with rejoicing.

I think the passage above from Numbers, which you may recognize as the Aaronic Benediction, is a perfect blessing to begin 2025. It gives to each of you the promise of His presence with you as you live your day to day lives.

Something that you need to understand is that this Benediction is more than just pious wishful thinking. It is an actual conferral. Through this Benediction, something is actually given and received. The name of God is placed upon you three times, giving you pause to remember grace, mercy, forgiveness and peace. His name is placed upon you just as it was in Holy Baptism. You are God’s! What a wonderful thing to hear each week in worship, but also every other day of your life!

The LORD bless you and keep you! May he bless you with His unfailing love and presence. May His hand rest upon you and supply you with His grace in Jesus Christ to sustain you. May you hear His word of promise, “I am with you as you go.” May He keep you from physical, emotional and material misfortune. May He keep you from the clutches of the evil one who would tempt you and draw you away from God. May He keep you close to Himself until He takes you to your heavenly home.

The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May His eyes look upon you, His mouth smile upon you, His ears be ever attentive to your cries. May He delight in what you do. May He rejoice that you have believed the message of His salvation in Jesus Christ, and that you let that Gospel light shine in your life. May he look upon you with joy simply because He is gracious to you for the sake of His Son. For His look is a look of mercy and compassion and love.

The LORD LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Again the author refers to the face of God. The King James Version has “The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,” which means His face. In the Old Testament, when a king lifts up his face toward one of his subjects, that means he grants his request and is merciful to him. When used of God, it means that He hears our prayers and answers them according to His grace and mercy in Jesus. He looks upon you with favor.

It is that grace and mercy of God that gives us peace. Peace comes when we trust Jesus Christ. Peace comes when we accept God’s will for our lives. Peace comes in knowing that Christ has paid for sin so that we are now forgiven, redeemed, and washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. Peace allows you to live each day that God gives in confidence and joy. You are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and you await the final hope of heaven.

A new year awaits us. Remember that a baby was born, a baby that deserves your attention and admiration. Begin this New Year reflecting and rejoicing over that birth in Bethlehem’s stable. You have no idea what the year will bring. The days might be productive or painful, the nights may be restless or refreshing. But through it all, the blessing of God rests upon you. He has put His name on you. No matter what the year brings, you are His.

The Lord Bless you and Keep you.
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.