The New Year
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the meaning of entering a new year from a spiritual perspective, emphasizing that true renewal is not a change of calendar or time, but a transformation of the human being from within—heart, mind, spirit, and conduct.
1️⃣ Renewal Is Internal, Not External
The new year is not merely a transition from one year to another, but a divine call to renew the heart, mind, and spirit, as Scripture declares: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.”
2️⃣ Renewal Is a Divine Gift Sought Through Prayer
True renewal is the work of God’s grace in the human soul and must be earnestly requested through repentance and prayer: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
3️⃣ Baptism as the Beginning of New Life
Through baptism, the old person is crucified and a new person rises, clothed with Christ, receiving a new nature, divine sonship, and fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
4️⃣ Renewal of the Mind
The apostle calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, meaning a change in our way of thinking, values, and understanding of life, replacing sinful thoughts with pure and holy ones through the work of the Holy Spirit.
5️⃣ Renewal of Spiritual Strength
God does not merely grant rest, but renewed strength: “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength,” restoring spiritual youth, zeal, and inner vitality.
6️⃣ Living Examples of Renewal
The lecture presents powerful examples such as Saul of Tarsus becoming Paul the Apostle, repentant saints, and even the Roman Empire transforming from persecutor to believer—testimonies to the power of divine renewal.
7️⃣ New Christian Principles
Christianity introduced new principles unknown before, such as loving enemies, true humility, self-denial, divine sonship, and God dwelling within humanity.
8️⃣ A Practical Call to a New Beginning
The Pope urges believers to enter the new year with sincere desire, strong faith, seriousness, and commitment, honoring their covenant with God, because “all things are possible to him who believes.”
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