Happy New Year

Today, Saturday, is New Year's Day; the first day of 2011. How is that possible? Wasn’t it just a year or two ago that we rang in the new millennium? Remember watching television as, hour after hour, the new year rolled in around the globe? How is it possible that so much fireworks and celebration all around the planet was eleven years ago? Did the calendar skip a few years when I wasn’t looking? How did it get to be the beginning of 2010 so fast, let alone the end? Where are the years going? What’s the rush? My guess is that you don’t have any more answers to those questions than I do. All we can do is wonder, but perhaps I had better pay a little more attention in the year ahead!

One of the cleverest sayings about New Year’s I have come across is the following.

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan

Although it has little to do with optimism or pessimism, there is some truth to that expression.

Each new year does bring changes. Generally we can’t see the changes looking forward. It is only when we look back that we can recognize what a difference a year has made. In general terms, every new year begins with optimism; a fresh start, so to speak. Life will be better, we’ll be better. We’ll enjoy life more, lose weight/gain weight, save more money, etc. But it is when we look back that we can see what changes actually happened. Sometimes the differences are happy ones: perhaps you got married, had a child, got a new house or a new job. Sometimes the changes are sadder: someone close to us died, there was a divorce or other disappointment. As a result, sometimes we approach the New Year filled with optimism for continued good fortune, and sometimes it is with the hope that next year may be better.

Whatever 2010 has brought to you, our wish for you is that 2011 will be filled with love, grace, and full recognition of God’s enduring presence in the midst of whatever life may bring. May you be blessed with a community that knows your name and walks with you no matter what comes your way. And may you also know yourself a part of such a community for others. May peace be yours in the coming days.

Happy New Year from Carman, Marion, and the entire team at Canada East Mission of Community of Christ.