By the Way: Happy New Year!
By Roland Weisbrot on November 19, 2021.
If I were to say, “Happy New Year,” you would assume it was either January 1 or that I was very mistaken. For this assumption we are indebted to the Romans, who named the month of January, in part, after one of their pagan deities, Janus, who was the god of beginnings, time, transitions – you get the gist – and was generally depicted as having two faces, one looking forward and one looking back. Apart from this calendar, however, is a sacred one which the Church follows that is based on seasons which focus primarily on the life and ministry of Jesus and His followers. Now this calendar nears its end this Sunday as we celebrate what is called the Feast of Christ the King. As the name implies, on this day, which inaugurates the last week of the sacred calendar, the Church proclaims the supreme Lordship of Jesus over both heaven and earth (cf. Matthew 28:18). This is a significant event and brings the sacred calendar to a fitting and triumphant conclusion. Ultimately, however, what I wish to highlight is that the rhythm established by the sacred calendar differs from the secular calendar. Sure, the secular calendar of our country is filled with Christian holidays, but they have become watered down, at least to some extent, because they lack the contextualization given them by the sacred calendar. What makes Christmas so much brighter and happier is the hopeful expectation inculcated in us by the season of Advent. So, too, with Easter: what makes that day such a joyous event is in part the sombre and reflective season of Lent which begins with Ash Wednesday and reaches its climax on Good Friday. Without context, days like Christmas and Easter can and often have lost their true meaning and significance. So, as we enter a “new year” in the sacred calendar, I encourage you to pay attention to the seasons and partake in them: you will be greatly enriched. Pastor Roland Weisbrot is the Associate Pastor at Victory Lutheran Church 5-4
