“Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
“The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
(Mark 1:14-15)
Dear Friends –
Too much rich holiday food has many of us repenting from such gastrological indulgences to the point that we might declare, “never to eat again!” or at least, to fast or go on a healthy diet to start off the New Year. Changing habits… cutting back… reducing excesses… are some of the ways we realize the need to stop and 
repent of such extravagances that have gotten out of control, and we knowingly admit to ourselves that they are absolutely doing us harm. In the material world, the signs of overindulgence are obvious as in gaining weight or living beyond our income to the point of credit-card debt, both of which leave us no choice but to initiate drastic changes to avoid dire consequences. Sometimes we learn the hard way
and suffer the consequences and swear to ourselves an oath: “never to do that again!” We can change our ways willingly when we recognize faulty behavior or we can ignore learned advice and become obese, file for bankruptcy, or even continue smoking with lung cancer… we won't acknowledge a weakness or seek help when needed to master a change.
Way back when, God The Father saw a growing trend in mankind to excessive lifestyles that were evolving away from His edicts, and so, out of His love to salvage 
His creation, He sent His Son Jesus Christ to show “The Way, The Truth, and The Life” to be emulated for the best existence possible. So it is no wonder that when Jesus began His public ministry He came proclaiming, “Repent and believe” because dire consequences would occur if changes in spiritual behavior were not implemented. Christ became human, so that humans could become divine… yes, divine… children of God and heirs to heavenly existence. Self-centered hedonism was not to be the goal of life, but rather, a belief in The Word of God, the Gospel, or Good News, which outlined moderation and generous giving, not taking, as right behavior. Acknowledgment of a Creator and Heavenly Father was a big part of Christ’s proclamations as well, for being His Son He knew best the reality and truth of an Almighty God.
The New Year brings on periods of reflection where we ponder change… closing a door on last year brings new dreams and hopes for a bigger, brighter and better year ahead… and naturally, we know the necessity to engage in an attitude adjustment if we want to attain new goals. New goals could always use God’s help, so why not consider spending more time with your 
Heavenly Father and work on building up that personal relationship with Him? It really is possible to get to Him… repent and make the effort… you won't be disappointed. Let the Ways of Jesus grow in you more and more to counteract selfishness or any other negative behavior, and be the child of God’s that He can be proud of. Make this be the year your life acquires greater worth, and not just another one of futile material efforts. Past conduct is over and a new dawn of right behavior is on its way with God’s help, that He gives when you believe in Him. Repent if you must, but always know that God is with your every breath, thought and deed… He can, will and wants to love you if you let Him.
“A Christian is: 
a mind through which Christ thinks,
a heart through which Christ loves,
a voice through which Christ speaks,
and a hand through which Christ helps.”
Saint Augustine
Whatever we say or do reflects our ability to be a child of God’s or one that is influenced by the devil. When our life has peace and joy predominating, we are following our Big Brother Jesus… when strife and conflict prevail, then the venality of Satan is apparent in our behavior. Remember to ponder, “what would Jesus do?” (WWJD) before you act in this New Year.
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid thou our sad divisions cease,
And be thyself our King of Peace.
FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY --- January 6th
Twelve days after the birth of Jesus, we are told in Matthew’s Gospel of how three Wise Men followed a star and found the newborn King they wanted to acknowledge and honor with gifts… the first Epiphany (from the Greek verb meaning to reveal). There is much symbolism to be found in this occurrence
beginning with any number of individuals who are curious enough to recognize there is a bright and shining light of truth out there that they must discover, learn and know… and thus, their own spiritual journey to know Jesus begins. And just as King Herod was jealous of The Magi’s news about another King being born, so will many find on their inquiry into Jesus, alternative unchristian lifestyles will try to lure seekers away from this truth. However, as The Magi were warned not to return by way of Herod but rather to go home another way, so must the convert to Christianity avoid the profane and take a different route home to a new lifestyle and away from all the old ways the pop culture of today imposes as right… conversion requires change.
The first notice of Christ’s birth was given when an angel appeared to shepherds pasturing their sheep on the hillside and they went immediately to see this miraculous event. The shepherds represent those 
close to Jesus who recognized Him as the One they had been waiting for, The Messiah. Today they are embodied in our priests and pastors who spread the Good News to our families from one generation to the next… a continuation of the line of Christ. So while the shepherds may be a metaphor for the apostles, pastors, and traditional believers, it is The Wise Men who represent the Gentiles, and those outside Christ’s kinship and naturally of all different races, classes, and intellects who find their way to God all by themselves. Most wise men are people who think, reason, and ponder the questions of life and therefore wanting answers search for them. When their biblical study brings forth logical explanations and curiosity has been rewarded with solid truth, it’s one of those AHA! moments cartoonists depict with a light bulb 
going on… a personal epiphany… and a moment of great joy.
There is no greater joy than to experience your own personal epiphany with Almighty God. One day your commitment to Bible study makes evident something you have been struggling with, and wham, bang, all of a sudden, everything falls into place and make sense to you for the first time on a particular concept… and you think to yourself, “My Dear God, how right and perfect your ways!” On other occasions when Divine Providence has come to the rescue or answered prayer with the personal touch of perfect timing, or superabundant generosity, your heart skips a beat as it screams out “Thank You God” for there is absolutely no question in your mind that He, and He alone, is the source of your good fortune. Whatever you 
need, the God of Love can supply His favored child… believe that. And, while He handles with priority all the problems of vice and virtue superbly, He cares for you so much that all the seemingly unimportant, everyday little problems of life that make you anxious, are just as important to Him. Your child needs a good day at school… ask Him to arrange it. That pay raise or change of jobs you need so desperately… let Him handle the paperwork for its happening. The removal of a vile person or situation from your life… conquering evil is His specialty. To have a personal relationship with God is possible… seek it out and work hard on establishing it; when your epiphanies are revealed, relish them as a hug from Almighty God. There is no greater joy than to experience that the Creator of the whole wide Universe loves you… does for you… and reveals Himself to you!
