THE SEASON OF CHRISTMAS & EVE OF THE EPIPHANY
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A NEW YEAR RESOLUTION: BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING!

“Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah  6:16

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012! Although the church is a month ahead in our New Year celebration beginning the First Sunday in Advent, the Julian calendar has flipped over to the year 2012. I have read many humorous postings about the end-of-the-world claims of Nostradamus; yet for some people, this gives rise to fears that perhaps Nostradamus might just be right and to REALLY keep those New Year resolutions this year.Whatever may come of our days, may we celebrate in the blessings of this day!

Our New Year RESOULUTIONS too quickly fade to New Year DISOLUTIONS because it is just too hard to keep them, or too time consuming, or too inconvenient to our busy lifestyle, or there is not an “app” for me to keep track of them. I would like to offer a few spiritual lifeline resolutions that can be easily accessed, will not take too much time, and your faith life of knowing and serving God in Jesus Christ will be enriched beyond expectations.

I encourage you to register for the FREE One Year Bible Online resource in order to deepen your knowledge and love of OUR STORY that is the Bible. Each year, it begins “at the beginning” with the Book of Genesis, another reading from the New Testament [Matthew’s Gospel starts this new year], the Psalm for that day, and a portion of Proverbs. The e-mail arrives first thing each morning, and it takes me all of five minutes to read and reflect on God’s story, OUR story, on my computer screen. The website is www.oneyearbibleonline.com

Forward Day by Day has been part of my daily spiritual nourishment for over 30 years. It provides thoughtful reflections on one of the appointed readings from our Daily Office lectionary cycle, as well a listing all the appointed readings for the day in case you wish to follow this holy reading and prayer pattern. Like One Year Bible
Online, you can access the daily meditation to be sent to you each day to your e-mail. The website is www.forwardmovement.org and click on the Today’s Meditation icon.

I also commend that you commit to your life of prayer this year, as is our Episcopal tradition as a “people of prayer.” Commit to attending Evening Prayer, held Monday through Friday at 5:15 p.m. in the church EVERY WEEK OF THE YEAR, at least once a week, more often if able. Our Office for Evening Prayer is a lovely way to leave the events of your day behind, to bring to God the things done or left undone as part of the day, and simply be with God and one of your fellow parishioners who faithfully lead the prayer office on that night of the week. Unlike the fantastic claims of those weight loss programs that saturate our television airwaves since January 1, I cannot guarantee you will lose those extra holiday pounds from the many seasonal gatherings by prayer alone – this will need some participation on your part. However, I know how much “weight of the world” I shed before God through my daily discipline of reading scripture, meditation, and daily prayers offered to God, and daily silence to  listen to God.

These are spiritual resolutions that will keep you fit for God and Christ for ALL your life, body, mind, and spirit. Through your life to the live of our world, so hungry for the Good News of God’s Word in hope, joy, and love.

In peace always, your servant in Christ,

Paul+

P.S. COME AND JOIN US to welcome the Three KIngs on The Epiphany, FRIDAY January 6 at 7:00 p.m. for worship, followed by the Burning of the Christmas Greens in our parking lot, and food & fellowship for all in the Great Hall afterward. Come welcome the Light that has come into the world!