What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. // John 1:3

Someone in my family told me a few years ago that she goes to Mass on the last day of the year every year, and she thanks God for her life and for all that happened that year. Certainly, not everything that happens throughout any year is all good and easy, but she still shows up and begins one year by finishing the last one—all with a "thank you." Whether it was a good year or a more difficult one, His light shines, and she reaches out for it.

Hearing this made me want to reach out too. I even felt like her sharing this with me was a way of Jesus’ light reaching out for me, just how Easter Vigil Mass usually begins in darkness. From there, one person holding a lit candle lights the candle of the person next to them, lighting the next—a succession until the entire church is shining brightly.

I don't know what kind of year it has been for you. Maybe you've had some of your best days this year or maybe you've had some really challenging ones. Maybe you're finally enjoying what you hoped for and worked towards for years, or maybe you're starting over again. In any case, the light of Christ is here for you—and your circumstances, and your hopes, and your worries. "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:3). Keep coming back to this.

Let's reach out for His light in this New Year, and let’s share that light with those around us.

[bctt tweet="Let's reach out for His light in this New Year. // Annie Deddens " username="blessedisshe__"]

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