The celebration of New Year’s Eve is filled with tradition. My family and friends have lots of these last hooray traditions. I recall many of us would wear polka dots, serve 12 kinds of round fruits on our tables and light firecrackers to usher in prosperity and drive evil spirits away. The traditions have a more commendable side to it— it makes the evening colorful; it brings families together in emotional reunions and many other good things…not to mention nice gifts!
Gratitude
But there’s another piece of tradition that we really dedicate to this transition of New Year. The tradition to be grateful and welcome God, who is the Alpha and Omega. Today is the last day of the year. Interestingly, the Gospel on the last day of the year begins with the words, “In the beginning…” What was in the beginning? The WORD.
The Word
Why was the Word significant? Through the Word, all things came to be and have LIFE and that life was the LIGHT of all, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not defeat.
What happened to the Word? The Word was made flesh, He lived among us as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
How does the Word affect us then? Indeed, from His fullness we have, all of us, received – LIFE, GRACE, and TRUTH.
Even though we have so many traditions that we practice before the last day of the year, let us not forget that these traditions will not cover the real Celebration of Jesus, who is the Light. It is because He is the One who enlightens and brightens our lives and paths towards the Kingdom of God. May the beginning of a new civil year not be reduced to simply enjoying some traditions and making resolutions that will only remain in words. Rather, let us have a recognition of Jesus the Word, Life, and Light.
Lord, in these last hours of the year, thank You for all that You have done for me. I thank You for all the graces and blessings You have showered upon me. Amen.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
What were the main blessings you received this year? What can you do better next year?
