Season of Pause and Promise
January and February can feel like the quietest stretch of the year. The festivities have passed, the decorations are tucked away, and the pace of life slows as winter has really settled in now. The next bank holiday is a long way away, and the summer holidays are a distant dream. For some, this season feels refreshing—a clean slate, an invitation to begin again. For others, it can feel cold, dark and uncertain. Yet for all of us, these first months of the year do offer a gift: a pause.
In the Christian tradition, the weeks after Christmas lead us into the season of Epiphany, a time when light, literal and symbolic, takes centre stage. Epiphany recalls the story of the Magi—the wise men—who travelled far, guided only by a star, to visit a child they did not yet fully understand. It is a story of seeking, questioning, and courage.
Many of us begin the year making resolutions, some bold and ambitious, others modest and practical. Perhaps winter invites us not only to change our habits and do new things, but also pay attention—to notice what brings warmth, meaning, and hope into our days. For some, this may be prayer, attending church, or immersing themselves in familiar stories of faith. For others, it might be walking a favourite footpath, listening to music, or ticking a few things off a list long neglected. Whatever shape it takes, the act of noticing and of seeking is at the heart of Epiphany.
February brings with it another moment of reflection as Lent approaches—a season often misunderstood as only sombre or restrictive. But Lent is also about preparation and celebration – preparation for a new beginning and celebration of something so wonderful that can be hard to comprehend. Traditionally, Christians mark it through fasting, charity, or a renewed commitment to prayer. But even for those who do not practise these rituals, the idea of creating room and preparing—emotionally, mentally, or physically—can be meaningful. In a world that feels increasingly crowded with information, responsibilities, and noise, the thought of carving out a little stillness ready for something mysterious but monumental, known or unknown, can be appealing.
This year, perhaps Lent can be an invitation to simplicity. Not necessarily giving something up, but uncovering what matters most. That might mean taking a weekly break from screens, choosing to support a local charity, or reconnecting with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Or it may simply mean giving yourself permission to rest—something our culture is not always good at encouraging.
These early months of the year can also be challenging for many in our community. Loneliness can feel sharper in winter. Bills can feel heavier. Days are darker than we would like. The weather can keep us in our houses. But one of the great strengths of parish life—whether you are someone who regularly worships or someone who appreciates the church from a distance—is the sense of belonging it offers. A local church is not only a place of prayer and worship; it is a place where people look out for one another. If you find yourself in need of company, conversation, or support, please know you are welcome. And if you are in a position to offer kindness or companionship to someone else, this season is a perfect time to do so.
As the year begins, may these weeks of winter become for all of us a time of gentle seeking, preparation and discovery, whether you find meaning in faith, in community, in nature, or simply in the quiet routines of daily life.
The Asterby Group Ministry Team