December is one of the richest months when it comes to holy days. Hanukkah, WinterSolstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve are the headliners here in North America. We retell old myths. We mark the balance between dark and light. We celebrate African American culture. We reach out to those less privileged and fortunate.

But there other holy days, in other places. Consider Omisoka, the Japanese marking of the new year. Created in the 1600s as a Shinto call to bring closure to any “unfinished business” in our lives – from relationships to clearing clutter from our homes – Omisoka is a mostly solemn time to reflect on how we’ve used the old year before we greet the new.
There’s a sermon in there for Westerners, too. Something more profound, more introspective. Something about how we decided to use the time we were given.

It’s been a year, folks. We’ve learned more about Covid, the robber. If not us, chances are we know a friend, coworker or neighbor who has been robbed of someone dear
We’ve painfully but justifiably ripped another bandage from the ongoing wounds of slavery and dehumanization. But we’ve an entire universe to go before white supremacy culture no longer dominates.

And we’ve been witness to the desperate, even more toxic final year of a presidency that has increased the pain index of millions. We’ve survived, but barely.

Given all this, Omisoka and it’s more quiet tone may be calling us this year. Not quite a time of lamentation per the Hebrew tradition, Omisoka is nonetheless a salve for our weary souls, beckoning us to be good stewards of the time we have left on this dusty plane.

In that spirit, let share with you one of my favorite reflections on this time of year. It comes to from Virgina Safford, minister to our congregation in White Bear, Minnesota

This season:

Mend a quarrel
Seek out a forgotten friend
Replace suspicion with trust
Write a love letter
Share some treasure
Give a soft answer
Encourage youth
Be loyal in word and deed
Keep a promise
Find the time
Forgo a grudge
Forgive an enemy
Listen
Apologize if you were wrong
Try to understand

Examine your demands on others
Think of someone else first
Appreciate, be kind, be gentle
Laugh a little
Then laugh a little more
Deserve confidence
Take up arms against malice
Decry complacency
Express your gratitude
Say a prayer
Welcome a stranger
Gladden the heart of a child
Take pleasure in the beauty of the earth
Speak you love, then speak it again