Welcoming 2026

Cathy and I were having dinner at Eastmont when I overheard a neighbor ask what we had been doing all year. The crazy thing was it was still New Year’s Day!  We hardly had 12 hours of the New Year. So, now at this writing, at least the first 10 days have passed, and so the question could be asked, “What have we been doing all year?” Yes, a bit premature, but it is a question of what we could be doing for this year in the 11 plus months yet to be experienced in 2026. 

A clue could be in the church season we are currently observing of Epiphany – which is the revelation of Jesus. Epiphany stories include the Magi who were guided by a star to find the Child Jesus (Mt. 2:1-12); the Baptism of Jesus by John (Mt. 3:13-17); the Call of the disciples as found in the gospels (Mk 1:16-20; Mt. 4:18-22; Lk. 5:2-11; John 1:40-42), and the Transfiguration of Jesus (Mt. 17:1-9, Mark 9: 2-8; Lk 9:28-36). These stories reveal Who Jesus is and what Jesus can become to each of us

Read the above passages and use your imagination. Imagine being one of the Magi who visits the child Jesus. Imagine being in the crowd as John the Baptist is asked by Jesus to be baptized. Imagine being along the seaside as Jesus asks you to leave your occupation and invites you to follow Him. Imagine the disciples who went with Jesus to the Mount of Transfiguration when He has the glorious encounter with Elijah and Moses all in a brilliant dazzling white. Imagine the voice of God who declares being well pleased with Jesus, but now comes the challenge, “listen to Him!”

Epiphany is a good exposure to discover what the new year can bring as we see Jesus revealed to us, personally. So, Happy New Year! Let the year be a discovery of Who Jesus can be for each of us.

Prayer: O Lord, let 2026 be a year of discovery of faith and how to celebrate that faith in relationship with You and with our neighbors. Let us greet every day as a new discovery of what could be. But also, fortify us to encounter what is happening each day that our faith will equip us to face the challenges as well. Let the unfolding revelation of Jesus be our guide. In His name, we pray. Amen

Rev. Dr. John Duling