As we begin a new year, our prayer is often to start over, to experience something that we have been awaiting, to be renewed, refreshed, to see the world with innocent eyes, to meet God as we have never done before.

The famous beginning of the gospel of John is an inspiration. It starts, “In the beginning was the Word.” God’s presence has always been with us, and yet we search for it still.
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. . .From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. . . No one has ever seen God. It is God’s only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.”

Where The Light Begins-Jan Richardson
Perhaps it does not begin.
Perhaps it is always.

Perhaps it takes
a lifetime
to open our eyes,
to learn to see
what has forever
shimmered in front of us–

the luminous line
of the map
in the dark,

the vigil flame in the house
of the heart.

the love
so searing
we cannot keep from singing,

from crying out
in testimony
and praise.
Perhaps this day
will be the mountain
over which
the dawn breaks.

Perhaps we
will turn our face
toward it,
toward what has been
always.

Perhaps
our eyes will finally open
in ancient recognition,
willingly dazzled,
illuminated at last.

Perhaps this day
the light begins
in us.

May the light begin in you anew this day and throughout the new year!
–Rev. Naomi