“On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:  five gold rings.” This verse of the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is performed with great energy everywhere from school recitals to professional performances.  The song, which symbolizes the time between the birth of Jesus and the visit by the Magi, has always felt rather chaotic to me.  The days between Christmas and New Years can feel rather chaotic as well.  It seems as soon as Christmas Day ends, we begin hearing messages about setting intentions and plans for the New Year.  Guidelines for how to lose weight, save money, organize your home, efficiently manage time, eat a healthy diet.

The first reading today from John provides the best guidance for how to prepare for the New Year as we are reminded to follow God’s commandments.  We are reassured there are no new commandments and one is highlighted:  Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.  Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.   Love is a wonderful way to bring clarity to chaos. 

Yes I have a responsibility to make good lifestyle choices, but my focus needs to be on loving others.  Showing love to those we truly care about and cherish is a joy.  It is quite a challenge to show authentic love to those who have hurt us, who we disagree with, those we believe are corrupt.  I know I cannot meet this challenge alone so today I pray to God to give me the grace of curiosity and compassion.  I pray to recognize the disparaging thoughts about others (and about myself) and to move these thoughts to a more loving place.  I ask God to give me courage to show love in the most difficult encounters.   This is the best gift my true love God will continue to give to me.