A Catholic New Year, God's Way

As December slowly morphs into January, I start to awake from the alternate dimension of time that is Christmas Break. I start reflecting on what went well for the previous year, and what God may be calling our family to in 2025.

Not a Fan of Goal Setting

Personally, goal setting can be dangerous to me. It puts me too much in the driver's seat. I would rather sit shotgun to a loving Savior who has plans for my welfare, not for woe (Jer 29:11).

If my years of spiritual trials and triumphs have taught me anything, it’s that my life is best when I surrender it, when I give my consent to let go of my own personal goals, and let God direct my desires. In fact, the where I have clung to my own desires too closely, my life was stressed, rushed, and lacking in peace. I have a feeling God has more in store for us: a life of peace, joy, love and connectedness. 

Ways Our Family Can Grow in Holiness for 2025

Each Jan 1st, I typically spend it journaling on what went well and what changes I would like to see for the upcoming year. Typically, it’s “I need to eat better and exercise more.” or “I need to work on my consistency and follow through.” or other self-deprecating truths about what lacks in my life. 

While I’m a big fam of self-deprecation to combat my ever-swelling pride, I recommend the best course of action to plan the year ahead is to surrender or desires to God, perhaps doing this as a family. This whole family activity should take less than an hour.

So here’s what you can do:

• Download/print off this free PDF (consider printing a worksheet for each of the kids in your family old enough to write)

• Gather the family together

• Turn off all distractions (Phones, music, TV, etc.)

• Open with prayer

  • Dear Jesus, we come to you today as a family, as The (Your Last Name)s. We dedicate the year 2025 to you and our blessed Mother Mary. Help us to be more like her. Help us to surrender our wills and desires to Your Divine Will. Help us to listen better this year, so we can hear your voice when you call. Help us to have the courage to say, “Yes!” when you call. Let’s take some time to surrender our desires to you, Lord Jesus…

• Read through the download together. If you have older kiddos, consider printing off their own worksheet so they can write down their desires and offer them as well.

•  I would end with some kind of feast (whether it’s ice cream, hot cocoa bar, a delicious dinner, or something else your family loves). 

  • During this feast, talk about highlights from 2024!

Here’s to a New Year, God’s Way!

-The Halbachs