Sanctifying a New Year

 

"This is my favorite winter, ever!" Having a couple feet of snow dumped on us in one night sure makes for a lot of fun. Thankfully, our landlord's driveway, just next door, has a nice hill for sledding: not so steep the little kids (who live in the upstairs apartment) can't handle it, and big enough that, with a little skill, the big kids can race, jump, and enjoy themselves as long as they have the energy to keep playing.

Ioann and Silouan take their racing seriously

That initial big snow was back in mid-December, but just last night, after most of that original snow had melted away, we received another five-inch snow, which will be plenty to start all the sledding festivities back up again. This time, we need to develop a good idea for an epic snow fort. That has always been my dream.

Reading notes from our home parish

It has been wonderful Nativity season. We are weird, and only let the kids open one present each day starting on Christmas day. We are almost through the full twelve days of Christmas, which will end with the feast of Theophany on January 6th, when we celebrate the revelation of the Trinity at the Baptism of our Lord and his sanctification of all creation...baptism has a slightly different effect when it is God being baptized: the water does not cleanse him, but rather he cleanses the waters and, through them, all creation.

Everyone in the house has enjoyed this break between semesters. We have had a lot more time to play in the snow, play games, work on some projects, and spend more time with friends. We pray the start of your new year comes with God's gracious blessings.

Few of us would rate 2020 very highly, but from a wider perspective, every struggle we encounter in this world—and do not be surprised if those struggles are many and difficult, for Christ himself told us, "in this world you will have trouble, but I give you my peace"—each of these struggles can be beneficial for our salvation. What athlete is made faster or stronger in the comfort of her sofa? Or stuffing his face with junk food? It is the struggle of exercise, of strenuous work-outs, and consistent practice that make the athlete more able...and the same applies to the spiritual life.

For many of us, 2021 does not look significantly different than the unlikeable aspects of 2020. However, turning to our Lord and asking for his compassionate intervention, we can choose to accept all these struggles, allowing him to sanctify every moment.

After the Liturgy for Nativity