January, 2011

January means “Janus’s month” and became the first month of the year in 700 BC when Numa Pompilius, a Roman king, added it and February to the calendar. Numa also moved the start of the year from March to January.

Janus is the Roman god of beginnings and endings, he is also the god of gateways, gates, doors, and doorways. The Saxons called the month ‘Wulf-monath’ meaning wolf month.

The 5th of January is the 12th night of Christmas. It is considered unlucky to leave the Christmas decorations up beyond the night of the 5th. The 12th night of Christmas is Epiphany Eve. The Epiphany, on the 6th of January, is the day Christian’s record as the day Jesus Christ was revealed as God in human in form.

As we begin this new year, let’s focus on the year ahead and not in the past. It’s a new beginning for all of us to renew our faith and begin anew. Think about what is was like as a child to open that new box of crayons. How wonderful it was to see all the bright new crayons all in a row, in new paper, and have never been used.

For some of us, this past year was a bad one. For others, it was a good one. Whichever year you had, you now have the chance to start over anew. Think of the possibilities, you’ve got a clean slate, a brand new sheet of paper to use those crayons on. Oh the possibilities!!! They are endless.

Remember the famous quote of an unknown author:
        Sorrow looks back.
        Worry looks around.
        Faith looks UP.

Use this new year to keep your faith looking up, find ways to help spread the wonderful news of Jesus. Ask yourself, ‘What can I do to make a difference this year?’ My favorite quote is this:
        To the world you may be only one person, but
        To one person you may be the world.