How quickly they disappear””the greens, the wreaths, the poinÂsetÂtias. Gone. Another ChristÂmas comes and goes. For some it was sad and lonely. For othÂers it was bright, joyÂous, even unforgettable””and yet all too short lived. Now in one short step a new year has begun. In the conÂgreÂgaÂtions of the DioÂcese of South CarÂolina we step liturÂgiÂcally into a new seaÂson as well. Into the seaÂson after The Epiphany and with it from Jesus’ birth to his bapÂtism; we step out of the staÂble of BethÂleÂhem into the muddy waters of the JorÂdan. As the old spirÂiÂtual puts it, “The River JorÂdan is muddy and cold. It chills the body but not the soul. All my triÂals, Lord, will soon be over.” This speaks of a crossÂing over. Life is filled with many crossÂings and changes and in the midst of them it is good to rememÂber the great truths such as””“Jesus is the same, yesÂterÂday, today, and forÂever.” The culÂtural trapÂpings of the ChristÂmas seaÂson pass and in their place the waters of the JorÂdan flow and the Lamb of God comes to river bank for the BapÂtism of John.
This is imporÂtant for us because the crossÂings and changes of life are like the poor ”“ they are always with us.