January 2008
As we move through the month of January, time seems to travel at warp speed in the liturgy. The first day of January is the Feast of the Name of Jesus, recalling how at the ritual of his circumcision he was given the name “Jesus.” In the tradition of his time, this made the choice of his name final just as the circumcision made his identity as a Jewish boy final and irrevocable. This event is recalled in real time just as it happened so many years ago, exactly eight days after his birthday.
But then, just five days later we are at the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord, which recalls the visit of the wise men to Jesus and the presentation of their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This event may have taken place any time in the first two years of Jesus’ life, based on Herod’s order to slay all the male children in Bethlehem up to two years old. It would have taken the wise men many weeks or even months to travel from the east to Bethlehem. This event is not recalled in real time, but in speeded up time.
The following Sunday we remember the baptism of Jesus. All of a sudden he is 30 years of age, wading into the Jordan River to be baptized by John. That is a big jump in time made necessary by the near silence of the Bible about Jesus’ life as a child, youth, and young adult.
This year Ash Wednesday is February 6, which is very early, so Lent will come quickly with Holy Week services in the middle of March. In 2008 it will feel like time is just flying by for those of us who organize our worship by the liturgical calendar.
Tempus fugit! as the Roman poet, Virgil, said.
Sometimes it seems that time moves too quickly. The children grow up so fast. The tax deadline comes faster than the bank balance can grow. The years go by and all of a sudden there is grey hair and wrinkles on that face in the mirror. The older we get the faster time seems to move.
We can’t slow down time. But we can try to make the most of the time we have. Ephesians 5:15-20 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time…..always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.” The part in the middle of that quotation that I have left out, talks about sensible living and cheerfulness. It is good advice that we would all do well to heed. Every moment in time is a gift from God to be used and enjoyed, to praise the God who exists beyond time, and to help people who may be part of our lives for just a short time.
“We Have This Moment” by Bill & Gloria Gaither is a beautiful song with a chorus that says:
We have this moment to hold in our hands,
And to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand;
Yesterday's gone,and tomorrow may never come,
But we have this moment today.
As we replace our 2007 calendars with 2008, it is my heartfelt prayer for each of you that you make the most of the time this year holds: 366 days (an extra day this year!); 8,784 hours; 527,040 minutes. When you rise in the morning, give thanks to God for the gift of this new day. When you retire in the evening, thank God for the gift of the day now completed. And make the most of the time you have been given, whether it is a day of rest or a day of work, a good day or a not-so-good day, a day of surprises or just another routine day. It is a gift.
