How I Spent My New Year's Weekend

I know that you may be looking at this and thinking, "Wow...this post is coming out at the wrong time." I agree. But it's not early. It is late. But it's not 11 months late. It's 3 days late. With that I say, "Happy (liturgical) New Year!"

December 1, the first Sunday in Advent, was the beginning of the New Year. I have to admit that I've never been one to celebrate the liturgical new year, mostly because I've never one to follow the liturgical calendar. In a world that's bound by the Monday - Friday work week, liturgical living can go by the wayside, but that doesn't mean you can't try! So, as I look back on my weekend, I also reflect on how it was like a typical New Year.

If December 1 was the start of the New Year, then I think it's fair to say that November 30 was the end of the past year - which called for celebration! Granted, I spent the morning in a meeting and the afternoon watching the SEC Championship, but I did get a chance to spend some time late in the evening with some good friends.

Longship Cellars, a tasting room here in the beautiful Tri-Cities was hosting a Popcorn and Wine Pairing, and I have to say that it was well worth the trek out (as opposed to moping at home over the 35-28 loss for my beloved Georgia Bulldogs...sigh.) The place was packed, and upon stepping up to the bar, the trio of us gals had a chuckle over how high the bar stools were. Seriously, they were up to my waist and I would have had to get a running start to get onto one! But furniture choices aside, I highly recommend this charming little tasting room. The servers were all kind and attentive (which was no easy feat because again, the place was packed!) and the pairing itself was so creative! My friends and I commented over and over again that we would never have thought to pair popcorn and wine (doesn't popcorn seem more fitting for a beer tasting?), but the good people of Longship proved us wrong! With popcorns like Elf Munch (inspired by the movie), gingerbread cookie and my personal favorite, cranberry orange, the staff at Longship helped to kick off the new year right! On top of that, their wines brought a smile to my face! I usually judge a place on whether or not I like the reds, and Longship's subtle wines were not a disappointment. Their 2017 Steel Dragon Riesling would work as a sweet replacement for dessert at your holiday potlucks, and the 2017 Wild Harvest Rose wasn't overshadowed by that yummy cranberry orange popcorn! I definitely wish we could have stuck around longer to chat with the owners about their story (I mean, there's gotta be an epic tale as to why Longship has wines called Starship and Invader, right?), but the crowds were starting to pack in, and my introverted self wanted out. But it's ok...I am always happy when small businesses are successful, and I definitely see myself going there again!

Of course, New Years is also a time when we start talking about the "R" word: resolutions. And when you think about it, this time of year is perfect for refocusing and setting some new goals. What better time than the commercialized holiday season to consider what's really important and why we have Christmas in the first place? The Gospel readings from the First Sunday in Advent really made me consider what my goals for the new year should look like:

Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

While these apocalyptic images may seem frightening, for believers there is also a message of hope that the Coming of Christ will mean redemption from the suffering in this world. This year, I want to consider how I am preparing for the coming of Christ not just in the Incarnation but His 2nd Coming as well. I want to recognize when redemption is at hand, and I want him to recognize me as one of his own. I summarize my New Years resolution with the following word: WATCH

Yeah yeah, I know...one of the purple candles should be lit by now.

Being attentive has been something that hasn't always been easy for me. Sure, a professor can hold my attention for ninety minutes and I consider myself to be a good listener, but I don't always notice where God is present. I don't always see Him in people who I struggle with, and I don't always listen to His voice over the din of mobile notification dings in the 24/7 information age. This year I want to be more watchful and more vigilant first and foremost to where God is around me. I want to recognize Him even in the most unlikely and challenging situations. It all goes back to Him, and it's all about Him. He isn't just the reason for the season. He is the reason for EVERYTHING! Second, I want to be more attentive to how he is working in the lives of those around me...or even how he wants ME to work in the lives of those around me. Am I acknowledging the neighbor who is struggling with loneliness? Have I even noticed the worried parent whose wallet is a bit slimmer this year? Of course, we want to make sure our lists are crossed off and tied off with a pretty bow. We want to make sure our Christmas decorations have that special sparkle when people walk in our front doors. But are we paying attention to the people who we are serving and the loved ones who we purchased all of those gifts for?

I can't guarantee I'll be perfect this year. In fact, I can pretty much guarantee I will not be perfect this season or any other season. But it is my hope and my resolution that I will learn how to watch not only with eyes that are anticipating the Nativity of Christ but that are also eager to encounter Christ when we comes again to redeem the whole world.