Whether it’s Hallmark, Netflix, or Prime, the season for binge-watching Christmas movies is nearly over. Their poignant and predictable storylines filled our hearts with joy, and we learned from them not only values and traditions, but also lessons about love and reconciliation. As we finish lighting the Advent candles in church, we are inspired to remember what each one represents: hope, peace, joy, and love. The fifth candle symbolizes Christ himself. The question is whether to continue the theme of rejoicing in the new year.
Is it as usual?
Three best friends traveled to Europe for the Christmas markets. Their fun adventure inspired everyone who follows them on social media to share the beautiful memories they made. The last post was a photo of them with long, sad faces. The caption read, “Please pray for us while we mourn. Our vacation is over and we’re home.” What a great way to close out a chapter of travel with the realization that the realities of everyday life are closing in on them!
Think about this. On New Year’s Eve, many people will be glued to their TVs to watch New York’s Times Square Ball Drop. After seeing the entertainment lineup, Glitterball finished the countdown and Auld Lang Syne sang. It’s rap! Vacation is officially over and we begin the next 365 days with the same old views. I feel like I partyed too hard the night before and had an accident and got burned the next day. Is that how you want to start the new year?
An invitation to reflection.
Just before December, one team held its last staff training course of the year. The theme of “Setting goals for success” was well received. The speakers focused on the personal goals they had set for the year and encouraged them to think about what went well and what didn’t. One more element has been added. A follow-up question to think about why it worked and why it didn’t work.
We often get so focused on what we want to accomplish that we forget the importance of flexibility and pivoting. Imagine a Roomba designed to efficiently clean your room, but instead sitting in a corner. I hit the wall over and over again. Now imagine yourself doing the same thing and expecting a different result each time. Yes, we’ve all heard the famous saying, “Keep trying until you succeed.” We want to bounce back and not lose hope, but sometimes it’s just crazy to think our strokes have to be the same.
“And wherever you go into any town or village, find a worthy person there and remain there until you depart; and when you enter a house, greet him; and if the house is of value, let it be peace. If you are not worthy of your home, may your peace return to you. And if someone does not receive you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet as you leave that house or town.” (Matthew 10:11-14 ESV). Jesus wanted them to use their time and energy wisely, and He set guidelines for them. There was no need to keep knocking on doors that remained closed. And it should be the same for us. We either go back to the drawing board and see what changes we need to make, or move on to the next item on the list. You have to accept the fact that you don’t have to succeed at everything, especially not everything at once.
Create a vision of joy and joy.
One married woman explained to people how she and her husband met during a gathering with new friends. She said she passed him on a busy street, but he quickly turned around and followed her. And he randomly said to her, “I can’t believe the woman of my dreams turned up!” It seemed silly to her at the time, but they went for drinks and the rest is history.
What do you think about creating a vision for 2026 that focuses on joy and pleasure? If we had an image, a word, or something else associated with joy and joy, and were able to express it in our lives, would it inspire us? Could a collection of symbols of our goals and dreams help us clarify our future and live life to the fullest with guidance?
As we have just celebrated the birth of Jesus the Messiah, it is important to remember the angel’s announcement of joy and rejoicing. “I bring you good news of great joy, and it will be good for all the people” (Luke 2:10 ESV). And Paul also encourages us with these words: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say to you, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4 ESV). It is a great command to find joy in the One we call Lord and Savior.
Include growth in your spiritual life on your vision board.
As believers and followers of Christ, we are told: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV). But we always seem to cling to a security blanket, the idea that we are a work in progress, to excuse the occasional manifestations of our old, sinful nature. The Apostle Paul clearly states, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh according to its lusts and desires” (Galatians 5:24). But why are we more satisfied with our old selves than happy with our new selves?
How wonderful to see words like “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” added to your vision board, which are fruits of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). You don’t really need the extravagant religiosity of adding images of Christ or the cross. Kits sold in stores creatively include them to create a more Christian atmosphere. Simply scribble a Bible verse that speaks to you during your devotional or prayer time and pin it to your board. You will find that it is easier to remember, especially if you use it for daily affirmations. This practice leads to daily renewal of our inner man (2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV).
Our vision board call to action.
As we become more comfortable and begin to see ourselves as a vision of Christ’s artistry, we no longer overlook the fact that we were created to act. Paul called it “good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we might walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV). We like to think that our compassion stems from our hearts breaking at the sad and difficult situations around us. But as one song line recognizes, we must ask the Lord to show us what breaks our hearts and to align our hearts with Him. There are many people today who practice misplaced compassion, diverting our attention and efforts from care, justice, and mercy to those who are truly hurting and hurting.
Practicing good works and putting our vision into action will “let (our) light shine before others…and glorify (our) Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). What God has in mind for us is evidence of a joyful and blessed life lived according to His Word.
How can we optimize our pleasure?
There’s no reason to limit your joy and joy to the last two days or weeks of your vacation. Every day should be a joy because God is always watching over us. As David says, “You make me know the way of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, and at Your right hand are joy forever” (Psalm 16:11). Let’s continue the theme of rejoicing in the new year!
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Kara Gebhardt
Louisa Collopy is an author, speaker, and women’s Bible study teacher. She also produced “Mula sa Puso (From the Heart)” in Tagalog (the language of her heart), which was released on the FEBC Philippine station. Luisa loves spending time with her family, eating and doing karaoke.
