Mindful Christianity has a wonderful ministry on Facebook with regular posts inviting us into contemplation and offering encouragement, grace, hope, and wisdom. Their meme for the New Year says it all:
The beloved Christmas hymn, O Little Town of Bethlehem, includes this verse;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight
The great joy of Christmas, and the great power of the Incarnation is that Jesus is that place where we can hold onto the best of the past, be freed of its burdens, and step forward into a wonderful new.
I feel this "new work come on hand" bubbling up around us in so many ways at St. Peter's, and as the New Year begins, I am eager to "live the year that lies ahead with fresh energy and hope."