We begin this story with Elijah, a servant of the one true God. In which he goes town to town, wandering looking for his hometown; for he once awoke from his sleep to find himself lost, only with his sword, and small shield. Along with the clothes on his back. Now on his journeys he helps whatever towns he comes across spreading the good news of Christ from the sacred scriptures he holds near in his heart. We find Elijah in Havens-Hope; a large town with many fields for many farms, hearing stories from other journeys of this town, Elijah is simply excited to be here.

As Elijah enters into this town he notices excited townsfolk gathering together circling around. He hears from the crowd statements of two men yelling and arguing back and forth. Elijah pushes himself to the front of the crowd and exclaims “Hold! Is such a display of uncontrolled violence necessary in a city sworn to peace?” It is then when Elijah is faced with the two men that were the cause of such commotion. They both stop and slightly drop their swords, looking at Elijah confused as to who he even was and when he came about. While the crowd and the men become more silent, for reasons of confusion and surprise, Elijah tells of parables of his faith in regards to many things in an attempt to kill the strict tension still held by the two men. The words, laden with a conviction that echoes the young man's faith, hang in the air, for a moment silencing the people. Some in the crowd murmur, and some nodding, some exchanging bewildered glances at his unusual sermon.

In a moment, everyone starts back up, while the two men glance at Elijah. One still angered, drops his sword and yells terrible remarks to both the other man and Elijah. The other thanks Elijah for helping him in such a situation. Elijah acknowledges the man, then offers to the crowd the hope that is found in Christ, then offers the man an invitation for a meal. Some in the crowd seem to accept the words which come from the young man, while others slowly move out and away. However, the man politely has to decline the offer handed out to him, to tend to his own duties.

Elijah leaving behind what’s left of the murmuring crowd, he continues on through the streets of Havens-Hope. A scent of roasted meats guides Elijah towards a sturdy-looking tavern. Pushing open the door, he steps inside. The room, a lively one, full of inhabitants of the city lingering around heavy tables engaged in friendly discourse. A tavern man calls Elijah over, wiping down the table he offers the young man the ‘tavern special’. Elijah gathers some of what silver he has and asks “This amount suffice?” “Sure would, boy!” The tavern man laughingly exclaims in his reply. As Elijah is being served, and as he eats, he inquires about possible journeys that may lie about for a man looking to do good.

The tavern man, eyeing Elijah curiously, exclaims of many journeys that may lie ahead past Havens-Hope. Elijah clarifying adds “Well quite honestly, these journeys… they sound amazing, but if only these journeys are for the glory of oneself, I suppose… I’d take no delight in them. I’m looking, currently, to help the folk around here in this town, and those who may be lost.” The tavern man taken back, pauses, “A rare one you are, most come seeking for their own glory and coin, not just to mend the troubles of our folk. Faithfully if you speak, there is a farm, just beyond the eastern gate. Livestock, gone… missing, fields vacant. Some talk of shadows, seen in the dark of the night. Guards now dismiss everything, while farmers grow anxious.”

“Oi! Now you have inspired my soul inn keeper! Firstly I will tend to the farmsmen.” Elijah excitedly finishes his food and thanks the tavern man, gathering the man's name and a promise to return with good news. “Borin, thank you! And I will return with great news!” The tavern man smiles and nods, as Elijah leaves the bustling tavern. As Elijah travels throughout the town, reaching the eastern gates, he meets the outer city and its vast farmlands. There he meets a farmer, attempting to mend a broken fence. As Elijah approaches the farmer, he offers his services, speaking even of the troubles he had heard from Borin the tavern man. The farmer grumbles “strangers promise much, yet hardly anything is made from it. If even the city guards care to listen, what makes you think some strange boy can help. This ain’t no bandit problem here boy… Something much darker is at play here. I’d sooner trust my own worn out hands than your pretty speech.”

Elijah understands the farmer's skepticism, nodding “If words fail to convince you, perhaps action will,” Elijah says while grabbing what he can to help. “Boy… one’s man labor won’t fix what’s wrong here, nor will it bring back lost livestock,” The farmer sighed, then added with a hint of desperation beneath his grumble “But, if you truly intend to waste your daylight, there is always more fence to mend. Just don’t expect nothin from me.” Not fully dismissing Elijah entirely, however, a thick wall of skepticism still at play to be dismantled. Elijah thanks the farmer and inquires about his name, while giving his name to the farmer. “Thank you! And what might your name be, good sir? Mine is Elijah.” “Jedidiah,” the farmer grunts as he walks back on to mend elsewhere. Elijah is quick to gather materials left around from Jedidiah, and gets to work. A gradual acceptance hangs in the afternoon air, as Jedidiah watches Elijah work.

Jedidah notices how fast and hard Elijah is working. As a larger built man, he is not surprised he is working hard, but as fast as he is going, it seems as if 2 or 3 men would be working beside him. In no time, Elijah finishes up the mending of the fences, he then proceeds to walk on to Jedidah. Astonished Jedidah mutters, “By the gods above. That would’ve taken a regular man two days, if not more. You’re a marvel, stranger.” A humble chuckle proceeds from Elijah, “Just blessed, Jedidiah, just blessed.” The farmer with a rare smile, “Blessed or not, you’ve earned yourself a keep, and then some. Come, the sun’s now nearly down. There’s a bit of bread, and a warm spot by the fire for a rest.” Elijah takes the offer from Jedidah, while proceeding inside Elijah questions the farmer on what might be the ‘darker thing at play’. Jedidah sighs, “shadow crawlers, that’s the name they have adapted from us townsfolk. Boy… Elijah,” he mutters lowly “this is no game here, they move like smoke, silent, swift. Not men nor beasts. Leaving not a trace behind, just a chill in the air. Other farmers.. They see glowing eyes in their barn before their animals vanish. These things… Elijah. They come in the dead of the night, when everyone and everything goes in for rest, they come out.” “I see” Elijah replies “Allow me a short rest, and awake me in the night Jedidah.” Jedidah nods and allows Elijah to rest for a few hours.

Elijah wakes to the firm hand of Jedidah. “Boy… ‘tis the time,” Elijah, grabbing his sword and shield, gets up and follows Jedidah to the open door. Jedidah points Elijah in the direction, a few sheds lay out, “there, the remainder of my cattle and farmlife lie ahead. I’ll be watching from the house.” Elijah heads out the door to the shed, darkness what seems like could be felt surrounds him. The feeling of being watched grabs him, as he looks around he is met with a low unsettling hum, it rattles his teeth and head even. Elijah, sword and shield ready, finds the source of the sound. A pair of glowing eyes and from behind another pair is found. Dark creatures close in on him, and surrounding him, one swipes yet misses. Elijah, well built, yet still agile, is able to back away from the swift attack. With a prayer Elijah begins, his sword now engulfed in a light, he retaliates and connects with one of the crawlers. It hisses and howls as it slowly dissolves, the blow being fatal to the creature. The other crawler tries to attack while Elijah is still recovering from his own attack, a slight slash is landed on his rib. However, it fails to phase him, swiftly he grabs the hand that landed the slash, he pulls the shadow crawler in and delivers a fatal blow with his sword. Elijah tends to the slash, and stays out until dawn. Seeing no other enemies shown, Elijah walks back to Jedidiah to tell him of the enemies he slew.

Jedidah is relieved and deeply thankful, after Elijah goes to him and explains the things he saw and slain. Elijah offers to stay a few more days to ensure the enemy is truly gone. Jedidah quickly offers a week's stay and for him to celebrate the New Years with him and his family; for it is but a week away. Elijah accepts, and as the days pass up until the New Year, Elijah gets to know more about Jedidah and his family, strengthening his bond and relationship with them. On New Year's day with no more signs of the ‘shadow crawlers’ Elijah gets to take part in the traditions of Jedidah and his people. When the daylight finally dwindles and all things are coming to an end, Elijah and Jedidah share thoughtful words with one another. Jedidah expresses his gratitude towards Elijah and thanks him for all he’s done, explaining that what he has done has not only spread thoroughly throughout the town, but it has given the people something that they haven’t experienced in a long time… hope. Elijah explains where true hope really comes from and gives words of salvation, however, Jedidah in understanding (not immediate belief) thanks him for the words and then explains that other farmers up North are experiencing similar but worse things than what he went through.

Elijah with a new mission tells Jedidah that he will leave as soon as the sun rises next morning. Jedidiah is saddened, but with understanding affirms Elijah in his actions and offers his home in being open at all times to him. Elijah is grateful, thanks him, and he then shows Jedidah his own tribesfolk New Years traditions and celebrations. After the traditions pass Elijah explains the name of Jedidiah in the sacred text he holds deep in his heart to him, and even some of the faithful people who once bore the same name. Jedidah is absorbed into the words of Elijah and the revelation seems to resonate deeply, stirring a quiet wonder within him. The rest of the night passed in intimate discourse; strengthening a bond forged in once shared fear and unexpected salvation.

The night passes on, and Elijah awakes to the first rays of dawn, Jedidah, already awakened, has a smiling face to meet Elijah. Along with breakfast laid out and a small pouch of silver coins with a waterskin filled, all for his troubles and great gratitude this is the offer of Jedidah for the young man. He thanks Elijah again, while he waves off the gratitude shown of Elijah saying “Nonsense. And remember, my door is always open to you, Elijah. Come back anytime. These fences” he adds with a wink, “they always seem to need mending, one way or another.” They share a final laugh, while Jedidah explains how he thought all the words over that were spoken of Elijah, while he (Elijah) slept further explaining how he didn’t quite sleep all that much, saying that he has now come to a salvific belief and thanks Elijah deeply for the light he carries of their God, and the new start he now has because of this light and words he carries. Elijah nods and offers further words for Jedidah to carry within himself, and Elijah's’ new journey begins.

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This year, the saying ‘New year, new me’ shouldn’t be our motto. However we should allow that saying to melt into something more meaningful… With Christ all things are new. It shouldn’t take a new year tradition or resolution, to make us straighten up a bit. Rather, with Christ, we are already made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Sure the traditions and resolutions we sometimes share can be good and really helpful, however, we should be reminded by the new year, that we are new, and are being renewed daily. By our God and Father, who loves us deeply. Every morning God’s mercy is renewed upon us (Lamentations 3:22,23). This great love He has for us, can and should guide us, into bearing the light He has given us, and being a light unto others, so they too might glorify our God through our actions. May God, bless, and be with you all, and have a great New Year!

Xavier Campos