January: Not an End to Wellness

During 2011, I considered the topic of Wellness on a monthly basis. Now that we are moving into 2012, that does NOT mean we are moving out of Wellness. Rather, we will trust that the Lord will move us forward as persons of faith, persons challenged to be well in body and spirit. I am reminded of an old Christian song with the refrain “It is well, It is well, with my soul.”

In January, several Christian holidays reinforce our wellness: the year starts out with … New Year’s Day, but the 1st is also the Festival of the Name of Jesus. What a great way to start a new year – in the name of Jesus! We remember that Jesus’ earthly parents brought him to the temple for his naming ceremony. May we all head to worship on the 1st to call out to God so that we might be known by name as one of the Lord’s own throughout the new year.

On January 6th (the actual 12th Day of Christmas), the Church commemorates the Epiphany of Our Lord – “epiphany” meaning a “showing” or “revelation.” Jesus is revealed to the whole world (not just tiny Bethlehem) at Epiphany as the globe-hopping Magi finally arrive at the manger, and so we are too can be dazzled by the light of Christ!
The following season of Epiphany containing seven Sundays this year encourages Wellness to flow, Wellness for the entire Earth! Wellness continues to challenge us to rest in the Lord’s healing, and witness to the Lord’s deliverance.

Beginning January 18 with the Confession of Peter and closing on January 25 with the Conversion of Paul, many mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Prayers arise for healing the divisions within the Christian Church, for wholeness and wellness among God’s own.