A Glance at the New Year

   Fresh starts. New Years, birth, Baptism, Reconciliation, weddings are all opportunities to celebrate something new.  They are chances to dream, renew hope and gain perspective for the future.  New Years is also a time to be reflective and make changes.  I can't say I'm really big on New Year's resolutions, but this year I'm hesitant to even try.  It goes without saying that there are plenty of areas in my life that need improving, but after a year of most of my plans being cancelled, I'm just going to try a different approach.  Instead of a resolution, I'm going to offer a prayer, "Lord help me to want what You want for me."

  As I wondered what the Lord may want from me, I glanced at my nativity set.  I was surprised to see that someone had moved the Wise Men out of position.  Instead of looking at baby Jesus, they were looking out at my world.  Since my daughters are way past the age where they play with the people in the nativity set, I found this odd and yet intriguing. After spending all that time searching for the new born king, why would they ever look away?  Perhaps they were not looking away, but rather towards a new beginning.  Their encounter with God was so incredible that they wanted to share their joy with others.

  "Lord help me to want what You want for me." I repeated my prayer realizing that like the Wise Men, I have also been searching for Jesus.  I, too, have found Him on Christmas Day!  I have gazed upon His face in prayer, while reading scripture, and in the Eucharist. While these private moments are incredible, this joy must be shared! Is it possible the Lord invites each of us to shift our gaze from Him to our neighbors, so that when we turn our gaze back to Him, our neighbors will follow suit and discover the face of God for themselves?  It's a new year, I have a new prayer,  I'm ready for a fresh start, and now I need to focus.

-Susan