Second to Christmas, which is most often a given when asking people what their favorite holiday is, New Year’s Eve is my favorite holiday. That surprises most people when I tell them, but I’ve always loved it, because while there’s no real magic behind the clock striking midnight and a new year beginning chronologically, in my heart and mind, the freshness and beauty of a new beginning overwhelms me with joy. I love to begin a new year with the mindset that anything is possible, and rather than resolutions, I try to choose a word that encompasses my current thoughts and goals for the year ahead. Some years, that word is centered around the growth I desire to see in my faith, and sometimes it’s a personal goal in routine, wellness, or habits, all things that God calls good in Scripture. But no matter the word, it’s a chance to fix my thoughts on the possibilities of tomorrow and is an opportunity to remember that the ability and discipline to carry out any goal comes from Christ, for from Him flows all things (Romans 11:36). It brings me joy to enter a new year with intentionality and focus, and God reminds us in Scripture that it’s important to concentrate our thoughts on things above (Colossians 3:2).
As we enter 2026, my prayer for you is that you’ll live life open-handed to whatever God has for you, and to fix your gaze on Him alone. And whether you make a New Year’s resolution, choose a word for the year, or just simply pause to reflect and ponder your goals for the year ahead, I encourage you to remember that every day God wakes you up is a new beginning with renewed purpose and an opportunity to offer back to Him in worship all that He’s entrusted to you.
Happy New Year!
