Be intentional when facing the new year

“She smiles with no fear of the future.”

— Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)

Like many of you, I enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas. The anticipation in the heart of each child, the glitter ornaments, and bright lights on the tree, the Nativity and those wonderful words of God’s truth put to melody and sung by choirs. They leave my heart humming for the spirit to linger into the new year.

But each year, with Christmas barely behind us, we look to ring in the new year. Some continue the spirit with a big party celebration, with elaborate food dishes, decor and lots of friends and family, while others are spending a quiet time at home. Neither is right or wrong, but it’s about what feels right for each person.

But beneath the hoopla of the holiday, many face it with an apprehension or fear of the unknown and what changes the year may bring, quenching the spirit of the season we just left behind.

So how do we keep that spirit of Christmas alive and bring in the new year with the anticipation of a child waiting for Christmas morning, and thwart the enemy of fear?

I believe it’s achieved by being intentional. Just as we intentionally plan for Christmas Day, we must plan to go through each day forward with the same spirit of compassion, kindness, gratitude, generosity and love. That’s what kept the woman in Proverbs 31 smiling as she went forward displaying the virtues daily.

I once went to a shower for a friend in the middle of summer. I was surprised when I noticed the hostess had a Nativity scene displayed on a table top in her home. When I questioned her about it, she told me it was a daily reminder of what matters most. I admired her creativity and devotion.

In 2024, I started the year by picking out a favorite promise from the Bible and meditated on it each day of the year. Holding on to that verse with its uplifting words helped me keep smiling in the good and bad times.

I think reading a daily Christmas devotion for the next year could help alleviate our fears and apprehension and keep the spirit of Christmas alive.

And staying mindful of others less fortunate can stir our gratitude and generosity to others in our community.

So why don’t we join hearts and minds as we keep the spirit alive and face the next year with intentional acts that place a smile on our face.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413.