Every Day, It's Ok (Happy New Year)

When I was working, this time of year was always a grind. The euphoria of Christmas deflates, friends and family depart, and precious vacation time disappears. Always too quickly. Then it’s back to the routine- driving to work in semi-darkness and, eight hours or so later, traveling the same route home, again in darkness.  “Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone,” as the classic Bill Wither’s song goes. And we miss it. I loved my professional life, but by mid-February I was usually in the doldrums. I never enjoyed a day off for a president’s birthday, as I recall, so the next holiday to look forward to was Easter, three or four months away. The spiritual apex of Christmastime faded too. But as my faith grew sturdier, I began to understand the meaning of “the risen Jesus.” That Jesus is not only a historical figure who died and rose again, but is a constant and dependable presence in our lives, right up to and including this very moment.

In the following Scripture passage, “the Word” refers to Jesus. John 1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

God is with us, and not just at sacred holidays, but every day- even the cold, gray ones of January. When we need a lift, or an answer, or to connect with our soul or our sacred, the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it. I invite you to open-up to God’s presence in this moment; see what happens. The musical pairing is “Happy New Year” with the refrain: “Happy New Year, every day, it’s okay.” And so it is.  Until next time, stay safe, be brave and keep walking in the light. And Happy New Year! 

Happy New Year
The streets are quiet
the Christmas lights are coming down
all is quiet but it’s okay
He’s still around

In the beginning
first, there was light
then He breathed a breath
then, there was life

Happy New Year
every day, it’s okay
Happy New Year
every day, it’s okay

Broken dreams and the pain
that comes from living life
misguided schemes that never seem to work out right

Come with me
down to the table
where there is life
and everyone is always able

Happy New Year
every day, it’s okay
Happy New Year
every day, it’s okay