Y’all. If you sat on that ash heap with me for all of Advent 2021 and you came back again, I think I am concerned for you.  Are you okay?  Are you insane? 

Last year was rough going.  If I say, “welcome back,” that feels like it borders on insensitive at best and cruel at worst.  Who’d want to come back to where I was last year? 

Perhaps the better greeting for Advent 2022 is what the best greeting for Advent always is:  “Happy New Year.”

If you’re new to this endeavor, I’m glad you are.  Last year was worth missing.  I think this year will be a little less doleful and melodramatic and scabby and just plain ol’ sad.  But also, if you’re not new to this endeavor, I’m glad you are, too.  Welcome back.  Thanks for sitting with me in all of the uck and ick. Happy New Year.

And it does feel like a new year right now.  Sometimes when I can’t sleep and I get curious about why, I lie there and try to name what I’m feeling.  And sometimes what I feel is a sense of excitement.  Or maybe anticipation.  Or maybe it’s simply what it feels like to not feel bad anymore and I just forgot.  And to that, the feeling of feeling good, I can give a whole-hearted “welcome back.”  I’m grateful for its return.

Welcome. 

Happy New Year. 

Welcome back.