How quickly they disappear\u201d\u201dthe greens, the wreaths, the poin\u00c2\u00adset\u00c2\u00adtias. Gone. Another Christ\u00c2\u00admas comes and goes. For some it was sad and lonely. For oth\u00c2\u00aders it was bright, joy\u00c2\u00adous, even unforgettable\u201d\u201dand yet all too short lived. Now in one short step a new year has begun. In the con\u00c2\u00adgre\u00c2\u00adga\u00c2\u00adtions of the Dio\u00c2\u00adcese of South Car\u00c2\u00adolina we step litur\u00c2\u00adgi\u00c2\u00adcally into a new sea\u00c2\u00adson as well. Into the sea\u00c2\u00adson after The Epiphany and with it from Jesus\u2019 birth to his bap\u00c2\u00adtism; we step out of the sta\u00c2\u00adble of Beth\u00c2\u00adle\u00c2\u00adhem into the muddy waters of the Jor\u00c2\u00addan. As the old spir\u00c2\u00adi\u00c2\u00adtual puts it, \u201cThe River Jor\u00c2\u00addan is muddy and cold. It chills the body but not the soul. All my tri\u00c2\u00adals, Lord, will soon be over.\u201d\u009d This speaks of a cross\u00c2\u00ading over. Life is filled with many cross\u00c2\u00adings and changes and in the midst of them it is good to remem\u00c2\u00adber the great truths such as\u201d\u201d\u201cJesus is the same, yes\u00c2\u00adter\u00c2\u00adday, today, and for\u00c2\u00adever.\u201d\u009d The cul\u00c2\u00adtural trap\u00c2\u00adpings of the Christ\u00c2\u00admas sea\u00c2\u00adson pass and in their place the waters of the Jor\u00c2\u00addan flow and the Lamb of God comes to river bank for the Bap\u00c2\u00adtism of John.<\/p>\n
This is impor\u00c2\u00adtant for us because the cross\u00c2\u00adings and changes of life are like the poor \u201d\u201c they are always with us.<\/p>\n