I didn't get far in my advent devotional this year. I chose All Creation Waits, which is a beautiful book I've been looking forward to for months. But the first devotion was about painted turtles and how they hibernate—their bodies nearly stopped—underwater through the winter. Just resting and waiting. I read this one chapter, this short Painted Turtle meditation, over and over and never turned to the next animal (sorry muskrats, maybe next year). That turtle and I understood each other. December is not a month of rest for me. I bet it isn't for you either, even if you don't work at a church. But that painted turtle called to me all of December.
And now here's January, dark and cold. Culture asks us what we'll do this January. How will we improve ourselves—diet, exercise, resolutions, goals—new year, new me.
But God's creation does not ask us to overhaul ourselves right now. If January in New England asks anything of us, it is to care for ourselves. January's creation says Stay warm. Eat your stores. Light a fire. Snuggle up with a book and bake cookies. (Ok, that last one might not be creation speaking.)
January says look to home.
This past Sunday, the word home was spoken again and again here at Epiphany. As we entered into our capital campaign, Building for the Ages, Rev Nick reminded us that this place, built of crumbly bricks and slate tiles, houses our life together. The Rt. Rev. Rob O'Neill spoke of what a gift it was for him to be home, some 20 years after he was our rector.
Epiphany is our home. It is where we are all welcomed, cherished, accepted; where many of our most meaningful relationships lay. We journey through our lives together here. This January, I pray you will feel the warmth and love of this place of faith, and root yourself in this home.
Bryn Hollenbeck
