Renewal, change, the dream of a fresh start.

Perhaps the dream of a more stress-free, burden-free life. A happier life. A healthier life. A less lonely or less impediment-filled life?

How many out there wish for that in the coming year? [You can ask for a show of hands.]

December tends to be the most stressful, difficult, financially burdensome, grief-ridden month of the entire year. Never mind that Advent is supposed to be a time of peace, of prayer, of patient waiting. Ever try to shop on Black Friday? Or get into a shopping line anytime from now until Christmas? People are anything but still and calm. Forget about “silent nights” or “heavenly peace” in the public realm.

In many cases, December seems to make a lot of people more ornery, less tolerant, more in a rush, and more anxious than al…