Most ancient world societies began their new years in the spring, usually connected to the vernal equinox, but after years of tempering with the solar calendar, the Romans established January 1 as the beginning of the year, connected to the two-faced god Janus, one face looking backwards and one looking forwards. And as we think about the new year, isn’t that what we do? A look backwards and then forwards.
It’s really impossible to look forwards without considering the past year. Unlike Alexander the Great, we cannot just cut the Gordian knot of the past. The question, it seems, is how we use the events of our past to construct a better future.
We all have hopes and dreams for the new year. We wonder what 2022 will bring; however, we must do more than wonder. In this Nation with its possibilities we can take hold of our future and continue to build a society that is just, humane, and fair. The path will not be easy, to be sure, but so necessary.
Prayer for the Day
In response to your call, we come, embracing God,
For your presence is a light in our lives;
We are humbled beyond measure by your gifts to us,
And speak our gratitude for all we have.
May we share your gifts with those who are alone and bereft,
As a measure of the gratitude we have.
In the name of the One who is the greatest gift of all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
For last year’s words belong to last year’s language, and next year’s words await aother voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.
- T.S. Eliot, poet (1888-1965)
We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, for balance, we ought to walk through the rooms of ur lives, not looking for flaws, but for potential.
- Ellen Goodman, American essayist
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end; They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” I say to myself, “therefore I will hope in God.”
Lamentations 3: 21-24