It is commonplace in a number of Christian traditions, including among Moravians, Baptists, Methodists, Anglicans and Pentecostals, to host a watchnight service on New Year’s Eve. In my African-American tradition, this night takes on an added significance as it originated and coincides with a celebration of the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation. These services are often filled with heartfelt testimony about what God has brought people through in the previous year — and with praise in hopeful anticipation for all that God will do in the year to come. As 2020 winds down, there is not nearly enough space to do justice to all of the testimonies about the extreme loss, hardship, grief, and trauma that we have individually and collectively endured this year.

A few years ago, I stopped making New Year’s resolutions and replaced them with what I call New Year’s affirmations. Resolutions can often feel like weights that cause you to sink under pressure and expectation rather than a flotation device to lift you up to attain your hopes and aspirations. Building on what has worked for me personally, I want to share some affirmations for our nation and world, as well as for Sojourners' work and mission in 2021.

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