I am awestruck this day. As I sit with the scripture, reading and re-reading the story of Jesus’ birth, I am pierced by Mary’s absolute attentiveness to her child. Imagine Mary sitting beside the manger as the shepherds burst in proclaiming the new beginning for humanity. Her response was to ponder all that she saw, heard, felt, and dreamed within her heart. She held everything she experienced near and treasured it within her heart. Logic was defied. Mary had the courage to look beyond the obvious of a poor unwed mother and discover a new beginning. She trusted beyond all calculations, probability, and statistics that God was bringing a new pathway to life within and among humanity, and within her personal life.
On this New Year Day join Mary beside Jesus’ crib in anticipation, expectation, hope and trust that God is birthing new revelations among humanity as we begin 2021.
The Scripture
“So they [the shepherds] went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2 16-20, NRSV) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+2&version=NRSV
Mary gave her full attention to God. We too are invited to turn full attentiveness toward God as the New Year begins. We have no more excuses. New Year’s parties are completed. The frenetic pandemonium of gift unwrapping has ceased. The novelty of silent night and candles illuming the darkness has faded. And we are left with the marvelous gift of Christ among us.
Today’s Prayer Practice
Today is about celebrating with God the new beginnings that God longs to gift you with this year. Some may seem obvious, others a bit scary possibly wondering how they will come into greater reality. Please print the below New Year’s Day celebrative picture and take your colored pencils into your prayer place. While you color this picture ponder within your heart:
- Consider what things, feeling, fears, uncertainties you must release to fully receive the gift of Jesus presence in all areas of your living.
- Contemplate the wonder of God’s presence come to earth, just for you, for our communities, and the hope for a just world as you color another portion of this picture.
- Pray with joy the gift of Jesus presence to you this New Year.
- Finally pray with the concerns of God’s national and international community. May God ring in the New Year with greatest of possibility as you color your life with God love.
- How will you be fully attentive to God’s newest way of love this year?
Enjoy praying. Here is a New year’s picture for you or you may google color sheets for New Year’s 2021.
http://fastseoguru.com/new-year/new-years-2021-coloring-page-for-kids
