Last week I wrote about how, despite my sometimes cynical view of New Year’s Eve celebrations, I appreciate the annual opportunity at the turn of a year to evaluate, dream, and articulate goals. I find those reflective activities to be energizing and encouraging… in a normal year. But living in the US under what feels like layer upon layer of overlapping national crises, I am a little less excited to ponder the future.
Our editorial team decided to write our new From the Editors piece about exactly this tension. How do we look ahead, how do we shape our commitments and resolutions, in a political moment so fraught and discouraging? Together we came up with our most helpful (at least to us) ideas about how to approach the year ahead and the three that will follow. I hope it resonates and helps spur your own ideas for building resilience and hope. I’d love for you to email me or write a letter to the editor to respond to our list or suggest your own ideas for flourishing.
Our video of the week is an exciting one! A Century essay from 2023 is a key part of a new book, and in a stroke of good timing, that book is available today. I spoke with the author, Liz Charlotte Grant, about its theme: returning to the Bible (and the book of Genesis in particular) after one’s view of scripture has changed. Plus scroll down for even more great new content, including Peter Marty’s new piece about some promises that are better when broken.
Happy New Year!
Jon Mathieu
Email me: What would you add to our list of ideas for how to approach 2025? Click to schedule a Friday lunch chat with Jon Click to find Jon on (X/Twitter alternative) Bluesky
How do we identify a sustainable approach to living ethically in these difficult times? The editors have no game-changing hacks to offer, but here are a few general ideas that we’re finding helpful.
“The really complicated but beautiful part of this Bible was an invitation to ordinary laypeople to gather around passages of scripture [to provide commentary].”
