Some of us took part in a New Year's vigil at our church on New Year's Eve.

As this photo records, just at midnight we came to the beginning of the Anaphora, where the priest says "Let us lift up our hearts!"

It was a beautiful way to see in another year.

I'd like to turn this into a New Year's resolution: Let us lift up our hearts!

I was struck in a new way by an exhortation that comes a few moments earlier in the Divine Liturgy: "Let us attend, so that we may offer the holy oblation in peace."  

Peace requires attention! So, by all means, in the coming year, Let us attend.

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Gentle. Small. Humble. Slow. Simple. - The Abundance of Less
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances. - 1 Thess.