Celebrate a new day, every day, not just at New Year’s
The new year is here. What could be more important? Every new day and devoting our attention to living one day at a time.
The Christian Advent season of anticipation to celebrate the birth of Jesus is in the rear-view mirror, but let’s briefly revisit it. Two of the four New Testament gospels are the root of Advent: Matthew and Luke. They are the only two of the four gospels that include anything about the birth of Jesus. As much as I treasure the infancy narratives in my tradition, my favorite gospel beginning is the first chapter of Mark.
In Mark 1, there are no angels, Mary or Joseph, wise men, or shepherds — not even a baby Jesus. However, this is the beginning of the earliest New Testament gospel. It is profound, truly an adult Christ at Christmas or any other time of the year.
Although I enjoy the Advent seasonal traditions, especially the joyous time and anticipation for children, I do not like so much emphasis on “waiting.” I embrace the value of annually focusing on the important re-birth of hope, peace, joy and love that the coming of Jesus symbolizes for Christians. Other religious faiths also sometimes key into certain beginnings or celebrations with anticipatory traditions.
Nevertheless, I encourage us all to balance any anticipatory perspective with the realization that living our faith is about what we do now, with each day as a new beginning. We need to live without waiting. Whether a person is on a faith journey through life or is otherwise motivated to live meaningfully with full awareness, today is what counts.
Every day, we have a fresh opportunity to focus on how we live and respond to our life circumstances. The pinnacle of responsive living is in a love-centric manner that also abounds with peacefulness. For Christians, this keys into following the life-model and teachings of Jesus. Similar to other authentic faith traditions or simply endeavoring to live a purposeful and generative life, this includes love, joy, peace, kindness, respect, gentleness and hope.
We all have day-to-day opportunities to embrace and encourage others in our choices. We are at our best when we pursue the path of actively caring for one another. This means everyone, including family (the best place to start), friends and others.
In Mark 1:14-15, Jesus comes on the scene and announces that the kingdom of God is at hand (i.e., it is here and now), and that we should respond in how we live by repenting. Repentance is a process of living, the heart of our journey through life. We should always aspire to progress by changing daily toward more consistently following the narrow way that Jesus embodied, which is the way of love.
You might also have someone in your life who lives in a genuinely loving and kind daily manner. This special person might be a family member, teacher, friend, or other mentor and example. I have several key mentors in my life. They provide strength, direction and counsel in numerous ways. I also think we should all live as if others we encounter in all circumstances look to us for guidance as role-models. That image is a strong influence on behavior.
Christmas was indeed special, but so is every day. We make it so by our attitude, focus and commitment. We are truly born again each day, one at a time. We wake up to a fresh new day in the kingdom as God’s agents right now.
“Now” is our unwrapped present. We do not need Christmas or any other holiday for the precious gift of today and every day going forward. As the Psalmist exclaims in the 23rd Psalm, “God restores my life” (often translated “soul,” Psalms 23:3).
Imagine the power of making this realization relevant each day. We wake up from our sleep and rest to a fresh beginning. Our new day! Perhaps we sit down with a cup of coffee or go out for a walk and say a prayer of thanksgiving for the restoration of life ripe with fresh opportunities for another day.
What an awe inspiring and motivational perspective to make good choices and live at our fullest potential abounding in love. If we choose and pay attention, we can experience this every day. There is nothing to wait for in how we live. The time is always now.
Walt Shelton is an author, speaker and part-time Professor at Baylor law School. His books include “The Daily Practice of Life: Practical Reflections Toward Meaningful Living” (CrossLink Publishing 2020) and “Authentic Living in All Seasons: Focused, Fearless, and Balanced” (CrossLink Publishing 2022). waltshelton.com