Today is January 1. Happy New Year! We all welcome a new beginning and fresh opportunities, and we embrace the journey ahead.

Reminiscing on my childhood, I remember staying up late on December 31. My parents, cousins, and family would jump at midnight. This was so we grow taller in the year. We also had all the lights on to cast out ‘evil spirits.’ We kept round fruits on the table. We had money in our pockets so we wouldn’t be broke throughout the new year.

As we enter the new year here are some thoughts. January is named after the Roman god Janus. Janus is the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, and doorways. He symbolizes the middle ground between life and death, civilized or barbarian, youth and adulthood, start and end. Janus has two faces looking in opposite directions to see the past and the future. He traditionally holds keys as the doorkeeper.

In the Catholic imagination, January 1 is the octave day of Christmas. Easter and Christmas share octaves. These octaves are eight days of celebration. These great festivals bring immense joy. The eight days help us unpack the mystery, hear the scriptures, and celebrate the Eucharist. It is time for us to dig around its theology and celebrate its graces.

On this octave day, we look to Mary under her title of Mother of God. As Mother, she helps us look to our past to navigate our future. She stands with Christ as the door into the new year. With her tender love, she helps us lock things that need to be closed. She also opens new pathways that lead us closer to Christ.

At the start of this year, let us entrust our lives to Mary, Mother of God. Let us ask her to give us her heart. Never be afraid to love her and entrust your life to her. Jesus did and so should we. She will always lead us to Jesus.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year everyone!