Holy Saviour Roman Catholic Church,
Nelson Lancashire

Yes, that's right, Happy New Year! On the First Sunday of Advent we begin our time of spiritual preparation for Christmas and a new year in the Church. We may not be singing 'Auld Lang Syne' but it may be a time when we are reflecting on what has gone on in the past year and looking to the new one.

Hopefully if our thoughts turn to the past then that is to reflect on where God has been at work in our lives in the last year. If our thoughts are to the future then hopefully it is to see the future with Christ by our side praying that he gives us his peace and the gifts and graces that we need. But if we are looking to the past with a sense of regret or loss or disappointment or looking to the future with a sense of fear or worry then perhaps we need to remain very much in the present moment. There is a quotation from spiritually inspired writing that goes along the lines of: Yahweh says "Do not look for me in the past: my name is not I was; do not look for me in the future my name is not I will be; instead look for me here and now for my name is I am."

In this time of preparation for Christmas we can very easily rush time through or think of a happier time when a loved one was still with us and not be aware of God in the present moment. So perhaps we could make it our Church's New Year Resolution to live in the present moment and ask God to reveal His presence to us here and now.

Lord, please show me where you are at work in my life at the moment, give me your peace and the gifts and graces that I need for today.