The month of January often brings a quiet honesty that settles in after the fullness of Christmas. Once the decorations are put away and the pace returns to normal, we begin to feel both the weight and the wonder of a new year. In Newfoundland and Labrador, that feeling is sharpened by long nights, unpredictable weather, and the simple reality that life does not pause because the calendar has turned. It is into this season that Isaiah speaks a word that reaches across centuries with remarkable tenderness: “Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” – Isaiah 40:31.
This renewal is not the same as avoiding tiredness or pretending everything is fine. It is not a call to push ourselves harder. Instead, it is the promise that God meets us precisely where we feel worn, stretched, or uncertain. The strength God offers is the kind that settles into the bones slowly, much like the warmth of a wood stove after coming in from the cold. It does not erase the demands of life, but it steadies us so that we can face them without being overwhelmed. Many people across our province know what it is to walk through seasons when energy is thin: caregivers who spend long nights supporting aging parents or loved ones; families navigating financial pressures that keep them awake long after the rest of the house has gone quiet; parish volunteers who continue to give their time faithfully even when responsibilities pile up; and those carrying grief that resurfaces without warning. In all these places, the promise of Isaiah is not abstract. It is deeply personal: God knows. God sees. God strengthens.
Epiphany, which follows closely after Christmas, helps us understand how this strengthening happens. The season celebrates the ways Christ reveals himself: Sometimes boldly, like the star that guided the Magi, and sometimes quietly, like a whisper in prayer or the unexpected kindness of a neighbour. God’s presence in our lives is often small and steady rather than dramatic. A familiar hymn that brings comfort. A scripture verse that settles the heart. A conversation that lifts a burden, even slightly. These small signs become reminders that God has not stepped back from our lives but walks with us through every valley and every storm.
We carry a long history of perseverance. We know how to press on when the weather turns, how to help each other without being asked, and how to hold hope when the road ahead is not entirely clear. Isaiah’s words honour that resilience but also reframe it. Our ability to keep going is not meant to rest entirely on our own strength. God does not expect us to manage everything alone. Instead, we are invited to lean on the One who never grows tired and never loses track of us.
As we step into this new year, may you find moments when God renews your spirit in ways both gentle and profound. May the light of Christ guide your steps, ease your burdens, and steady you for all that lies ahead.
Wishing you a gentle and hope-filled New Year.
