Month: December 2025

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My hopes for 2026

Every year, I set New Year’s resolutions and fail them by February. I try to focus on different aspects of my life.

Religion/spiritual growth.

Growth as an employee.

Relationships with others.

My well being.

What areas of your life do you want to work on in 2026?

In my Christian life, I want to maintain short devotional times during breakfast. I sometimes run out of time when getting up for work. But, other times I am listening to a YouTube video. Right now, I am reading a devotional from my church. I hope to return to reading my harmony of the gospels in the evenings. I will probably grab a devotional from church for the mornings.

At work, I am working on becoming a department lead. I have helped train three people so far at work.

Every year, I set a goal of spending more time with friends. Yet, I slip into my  introverted love of being home alone. I plan to write more letters to my family and friends. This makes me feel connected without the constant worry that I will interrupt them by calling them or asking to spend time with them. Although, I want to try to do more calling them and spending time with them. I just know that I will talk myself out of it at times. So, I want to try writing letters because I have a collection of blank cards.

I would love to learn Spanish and find more ways to stand up for democracy and help others too. But, I am uncertain what opportunities to help others will show up in 2026. I will pray for those opportunities, the ability to recognize them and guidance on how to respond.

I want to lose weight but I am not sure if I am willing to put in the effort. I find the constant battle with my sweet tooth, tendency to eat when bored and love for food to be exhausting.

What are your goals for 2026?

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God’s gifts

“We are showered every day with gifts, but they are not meant for us to keep. Their life is in their movement, the inhale and the exhale of our shared breath. Our work and our joy is to pass along the gift and to trust that what we put out into the universe will always come back.” Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass

God gives us gifts so that we can use them to help or bless others. There is a line that says,”Blessed to be a blessing.”

“Generous God, among the trappings of this season, grant us wisdom to receive the gifts you bring. Help us share those gifts with those in need. Amen. Humble and Holy: Devotions for Advent & Christmas 2025-2026

Sharing in a messy way
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Advent and Christmas quotes

Advent is the time that leads into the Christmas season. We use this time to prepare for the coming of Christ through his birth. The church year is a way to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“I believe we also light [Advent candles] as symbols of a world we imagine to be possible when Jesus comes to earth-a world where hope,peace,joy and love will reign.” Callie E. Swanlund, From Weary to Wholehearted.

The world looks so peaceful from space. If only it was peaceful for real

It feels like peace in our world is impossible. Israel fighting Palestinians. Russia fighting Ukraine. I am fighting with myself on whether my country, the USA, is at war with Venezuela right now. I want to give my nation the benefit of doubt but I suspect that we want oil and rare earth minerals.

My church shared this song in a devotional email.

Let It Be In My Heart
by Liturgical Folk

REFRAIN
Your word, O Lord, isn’t hard to hear;
It’s hard to take to heart.
Your call is open; it’s clean and clear
To those who play their part.

VERSE 1
If you should send your Angel to pass
along your word,
Or should it be a quiet little bird,
Let it be, let it be in my heart
As it is in your will.

VERSE 2
Don’t want to be like Sarah, laughing
under breath,
Nor Gideon, who tested what you said.
Let it be, let it be in my heart
As it is in your will.

VERSE 3
Like simple Ananias, may I trust your plan,
Then answer with a brimming, “Here I
am.”
Let it be, let it be in my heart
As it is in your will.

VERSE 4
Now may I with Mary hear your call today,
And, though I am afraid, clearly say,
Let it be, let it be in my heart
As it is in your will.

My church did a skit of Joseph talking to a female friend about his decision to marry Mary while knowing that she is pregnant with God’s child. The Joseph character expressed a willingness to obey and make room for God to do His will. So, this song went really well into our church service.

Today is Christmas eve.

“Jesus came to earth in humility, which centers those who have too long been at the margins. What does it mean to focus on those who are left behind, powerless, suffering, or invisible? We may be called to enter spaces that are uncomfortable or unfamiliar. We might be invited to listen to voices that we have overlooked.” Humble and Holy: Devotions for Advent &Christmas 2025-2026 by Augsburg Fortress

This feels like a wonderful quote for me to ponder while I enjoy time with the family and await the celebration of the birth of Christ. Merry Christmas to my readers.

“King Herod was not prepared to accept a new king of the Jews. Is there a truth you do not wish to acknowledge? What truth could empower you and others?” Humble and Holy: Devotions for Advent & Christmas 2025-2026 by Augsburg Fortress

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My Prayer for the US people

It saddens me that Republicans and Democrats can’t even agree on the facts any more. I don’t see how to debate politics when we can’t agree on the facts.

My Republican friends and family trust news sources that I suspect are lying. While, they think that my fellow Democrats and I are being lied to.

I have prayed to God that He will help all of us in the US to see the world and our nation in the way that it is rather than what we think it is. I just realized that I should be asking God to give us the strength and wisdom to be able to handle this knowledge.

Dear God

My heart breaks as I read news about fellow citizens and residents suffering in my country. I have been proud of my nation’s generosity for most of my life.

Now, I feel like our hearts are closing ourselves off from our neighbors. We are viewing each other as terrorists, traitors or evil. Yet, we all love this nation in our own way. Help us to see people who we disagree with as people rather than something to hate.

Please help us to see the truth about our nation and its relationships with other nations. I believe that the truth will help free us from this hatred that is running rampant in our nation. Grant us the strength to be able to handle the truth no matter how different it may be from what we think the truth is. Once we know the truth, guide us on how to respond to and act on that truth. Amen.

I am reading a devotional for Advent and Christmas. Here is a quote full of hope.

We may live through difficult, even oppressive, times when it seems that suffering in our world will never end. The birth of Jesus is a reminder that his reign of peace is the only kingdom that endures.

We can find comfort in communities of faith that acknowledge the suffering in our world, find strength together to endure, and receive hope and courage to work for that reign of Christ that is eternal. Humble and Holy:Devotions for Advent &Christmas 2025-2026 by Augsburg Fortress