Happy New Year! For some you may think we are a little early but if you are following the Catholic Liturgical Calendar, we are right on track. The First Sunday of Advent kicks off the New Liturgical Year, so Happy New Year!!
January 1st is a popular time to make New Year’s resolutions, where we resolve to change a behaviour, accomplish a personal goal or make improvements on our lives. Many of those goals are never realized and may have been unrealistic from the start. With the beginning of Advent and the birth of Christ a short 4 weeks away, it’s a great time to look back and thank God for the many blessings of the past year. After all, “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” For so many the focus of this season is giving or receiving the perfect material gift but gratitude proves otherwise. Maybe our focus has been in the wrong place all along. What if gratitude helped us realize our life is pretty great right where we are?
As we enter Advent and a New Liturgical Year, what work has God been doing in you or what work do you need Him to do? As time passes, it is inevitable that we either change for the better or worse. Which way do you want to go this Liturgical Year – towards a God or away from Him?
Some suggestions for Liturgical New Year’s Resolutions
- Take time for daily reflection
- Head to confession
- Choose a saint to journey the year with you
- Pray the rosary
- Practice generosity
- Adopt an attitude of Gratitude
Happy New Year!!