As the days of December come to an end, we bid farewell to a year that has passed with all that it contained of events, actions, and figures, whether on the personal level or the collective level, and whether the days were joyful, sorrowful, or even ordinary. We prepare to welcome a new year with all joy and good wishes, and the whole world participates in these celebrations, which are often loud, colorful, and varying in quantity, quality, and form.

In our churches and monasteries, we have become accustomed to welcoming the new year, whether a Gregorian year, a Coptic year, or even a personal new year, through prayers, hymns, vigils, and praises, and we conclude all of this with the Divine Liturgy, with prayers lifted up from the heart that God may overlook our sins, shortcomings, laziness, and negligence, accept true repentance from the heart, and that we may place our longings, dreams, and wishes before Him with faith, hope, and confidence in His care and mercy.

Moreover, when a person, regardless of his position or responsibilities, looks back at the year that has passed with all that occurred in it, he cries out and says that “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:3). There may be achievements, successes, and projects that are attributed to those in responsibility at any level, but God is the One who “has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NKJV).

Time is God’s gift to humanity, which we call “life,” and this life is the vessel that we fill with our actions, thoughts, works, and creations according to God’s threefold gift: the mind (thought), the heart (love), and the hand (work), which are called Head–Heart–Hand: 3H. These three constitute the human being’s freedom in what he thinks, what he says, and what he does.

What is important for the spiritual person is to redeem the time (Ephesians 5:15, NKJV), meaning to make one’s time, that is one’s days of life, precious, valuable, and meaningful, like the hour of humanity’s redemption on the Cross, which was a decisive hour in the life of mankind seeking salvation and eternity.

They say that a person needs in his life  three T’s: Touch, Talk, Time.

I would like to expand on the word “Time” through its English letters:

The letter T = Today, that is, to live without procrastination, so that every day bears fruit, has work, and contains responsibility. They say that procrastination is “the thief of time,” and in the Midnight Prayer we ask God to protect us from wasting life in vain.

The letter I = Investment, because what matters each day is investing time in what is beneficial and good, and that which builds the person and serves others. The gift of time cannot be replaced, for the day or hour that passes from a person’s life has no substitute. From here comes the value of time, which is the most precious gift a person possesses. When a father or mother gives time from their life directly to their children, this is a reflection of their true love.

The letter M = Mission, meaning “a mission or responsibility,” for God grants you life so that you may fulfill a mission. God created you because He loves you and desired for you a responsibility and a duty. He prepares you, trains you, and tests you, and He has a plan for your life that you receive from Him day by day. What matters here is the state of contentment and surrender, coupled with faithfulness and diligence, in carrying out your responsibilities or the mission God intended for your existence on this earth. It does not matter whether the mission is small or great; what matters is the faithfulness by which you fulfill it: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). This verse applies to every person, regardless of his time, responsibilities, or mission, because its first half is fulfilled on earth and its second half is completed in heaven.

The letter E = Eternity, meaning that your time or your life must be for the sake of eternity and your portion in the kingdom of heaven. There is no meaning in exhausting your life for short-term earthly goals without looking toward your eternity and future life. If all your works, actions, and mission are not for the glorification of the name of God who created you, brought you into existence, and gave you the breath of life from Himself—so that you may be His message on earth until you return to Him crowned with abundant fruit after a life in which you completed the race and kept the faith—then there will be no crown of righteousness.

Saint John Chrysostom says: “It is not important that you be a sun (that is, famous, well-known, and of great responsibility or position), or that you be a moon (moderate in fame and responsibility), or even a star (small in size or responsibility); what matters is that you be in heaven.”

The question of the rich young man who once came to Christ saying, “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17), should be present before your eyes daily, so that you may rid yourself of your weaknesses when you discover them, purify your heart from impurities and sins, and then you will be able to behold God in eternity (Matthew 5:8).

My wishes for a happy and joyful year for you all, full of continual glorification of God, peace for our nations and our Church, and joy for all humanity.

Best wishes for the season, in health and peace.