All kinds of remembering has taken place over the last month, especially regarding the passing of the year 2011. Many attempts at remembering were made by “top ten” lists. Every field of human activity from politics to sports, from entertainment to religion were highlighted. (I am reminded that it is luxury to have such an activity; many in our world have neither the time nor the energy to engage in anything like that). Even so, 
I am impressed with those who can pick 10 highlights; I’m pleased if I can come up with five highlights, not because my life is so dismal or dull, but mainly because I’m not inclined to think like that. Maybe I should try it sometime. I was told of a person who was determined to find one good thing to be thankful for each day, and then write that one good thing down each day for a year. My understanding of this effort is that even though he did succeed, he didn’t keep up the practice for another year: it was “too much work,” according to him. I believe it. 
Looking ahead to 2012 as “an election year” and all the ”energy” devoted to that endeavor, maybe it’s a good thing he did quit.
Nonetheless, people get into the spirit of the New Year observance, with parties and such to give thanks for the previous year (or say “good riddance” to it). I’m thankful that I don’t have a picture like this one on the left (“Guy Lombardo”, anyone?) to pop up some unexpected time, or like the one below, where who knows what was going on; and would these guys remember, anyway? 
“TMI!” no doubt.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians about “forgetting what lies behind” and “pressing forward” to what lies ahead, making room for the new life in Christ to begin. Of course he wasn’t talking about any New Year celebration, but perhaps something deeper in people’s hearts that is a part of wanting something new, better, complete to replace one’s old, mundane, fractured life. The Christian claim is that attention to Our Lord Jesus’ way of life can provide such newness. Not a “remix” of the old, but rather “a new creation” as Paul would write to the Roman Christians of his time. Something wholly different than the best Top Ten list; something healing for remembering the good, the bad, or the ugly of the past; something invigorating that transforms the present and moves one into the future with hope, and not fear. 
Perhaps for 2012 one can move to become soulfully grounded in finding out what it means to follow Jesus’ way. My hope is always that a community of faith, “warts and all,” is the most effective place for that to occur. I know: the old John Prine song said “they all found Jesus on their own”. But I wonder how even now people can connect with the Holy without having some assistance along the way. I see the value of community all the time: on Christmas Day, at worship just last week, I had he privelege of welcoming a new sister into the faith by the promises given in the waters of baptism, her whole life ahead of her at age one-ish. Then, not six hours later, I was at the bedside of another sister in Christ, whose life had ended after 70+ years, commending her to the care of her Lord for eternity, her family gathered around for the prayers and promises there, too.
I see no reason to stop being part of such a spiritual search. Or encouraging others to give it a serious shot in 2012. A well-respected spiritual director had some frustrating yet accurate wisdom to impart to a directee seeking clarity about many important matters. No matter what the “issue” was, the “discernment” from the director to the directee was always this: “Let’s see what happens.” 
Happy New Year! In Christ, let’s see what happens!