Here we are. Standing on the threshold of a brand-new year as we look back on a year that is rapidly coming to an end. Tomorrow will be 2025! Some of you will be out celebrating tonight ringing in the new year with levity, laughter and friends. Others of us will be at home, either alone or with family, sharing our highs and lows, as we wrap up another year. Marc and I often celebrate Newfoundland New Year’s at 10: 30 pm and call it a day!
In the grand scheme of things, today and tomorrow are just another day. Writer Lee Balcolm says “there is nothing particularly unique about New Year’s Eve/Day except the power we give it.” Perhaps that’s true. But I tend to be a bit more enthusiastic about turning the page to a new year. We are given a clean slate. No, we can’t go back and undo the mistakes we made this year but we can let them go and remain where they need to be- in the past. We can look forward to a fresh start. Life is not about getting everything right all the time. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about becoming whole, becoming complete, becoming fully alive human beings says Sister Joan Chittister. I like that. Maybe you have given up making New Year’s resolutions because you know by the middle of January your resoluteness is already gone. I hear you. But we can’t escape the renewed calls to be the “new you” or “best you” in the year ahead. How about instead of trying to be the “new” you, try this year coming year to be the “real” you. No more pretending to be someone you aren’t. It’s time to take off those comforting masks and just be yourself. Be who you are- align your values and dreams with how you show up in the world each and every day. This is what our faith calls us to be. Be the beloved son and daughter we are called to be as Divine Love was birthed into humanity many Christmases ago. We are made in the image of love and we are called to bring love and light into our world. We are called to bring a little heaven here on earth. In all the chaos of the cosmos, in all the uncertainties and challenges that lie ahead, love is the light that will lead us through it all.
Trinity, thank you for being a light to me during my ministry this year. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for your continuing support of our growing spiritual family. But, most importantly, thank you for being “you”, for sharing your unique gifts and shining your beautiful light into our community and afar.
I’m excited to see what adventures 2025 has in store for our faith community!
I hope you plan to continue to journey with me as we grow our hearts and minds together!
Here’s a toast to becoming emotionally and spiritually whole with a heart full of love!
With Jesus as our light and guide, may this be so.
Faithfully yours on this journey we call life,
With gratitude,
Rev. Diane