Happy New Year everyone!!! You might think I’m a month and a week early, but the truth is, I’m just a few days early with this New Year's greeting. How can that be, you’re thinking?? No, I’m not speaking of ringing in 2023 quite yet. The new year that I’m speaking of is that of the church year or the liturgical calendar. You see, this Sunday, which is just a couple of days away, is the first Sunday of Advent, and Advent marks the beginning of the church year that many Christian churches follow. So again, Happy New Year!!!
Accompanying New Year celebrations, there are often hopes, thoughts, and sometimes even resolutions of how one would like the new year to be different than the previous year. Since the new year I’m speaking of is more faith or spiritual related, the question for each of us to consider is, what would you like to be different about your spiritual life, your faith journey, for the year to come? Once you’ve answered this question and know what you would like to be different about your life for the coming year, the next step is then establish a plan or a strategy that will help you live into the new patterns, behaviors, or attitudes that you would like to embrace in the new year! Yes, this is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak.
So, maybe you’d like to read the Bible more. That is certainly a noble desire, since as Christians we do consider the Bible to be God’s Word for our lives even today. There are many good Bible reading plans available, even ones that have you read through the entire Bible in one year. But there are many great plans out there, such as reading one chapter from the Old Testament and the New Testament each day. Or, just read one chapter and then write about what you read and your thoughts about it. The main idea, though, is to simply decide on a plan that works for you and stick with it. Make it a priority.
Maybe you’d like to spend more time in prayer. Again, that too is a worthy focus for a new year. A good way to do this is to set an alarm on your watch or your smartphone for once, twice, three times a day, and use the alarm as a reminder to spend a minute or two talking to God and listening for God's voice in your life. Or another option would be to join or form a group that focuses on spiritual disciples and learn and grow together with others about strengthening your prayer life.
Another thought might be that you want to live into Jesus’ new command to “Love one another” more. One of the most effective ways to become more “loving” is by serving and helping others. Our church has multiple serving opportunities, as does our community with many fine non-profit organizations focusing on making our community and people’s lives better.
These are just a few examples of ways to grow in your spiritual life in the coming new year. The spiritual practice you wish to strengthen might be different than what I’ve mentioned above, but the principle is the same. Set the goal and then start moving in the direction of making the new practice, pattern, or behavior a more consistent part of your life. And then of course, celebrate the wins when you find your life being shaped in the new positive and desired direction.
Yes, Advent is the beginning of a journey. But not just a journey of preparing for the Christ Child, it’s really a journey of living, step by step, more fully into God’s Kingdom here on earth today! So, Happy New Year everyone. Let’s make it a great year of growing together in God’s Grace, Hope, and Love!
Serving Together,
Pastor Keith