It was New Year’s Eve, 2025. I sat comfortably at home, watching the seconds tick down to 2026. Images of the same tired parties and celebrations flashed across my TV screen—people wielding smiles at their fellow revelers, quietly hoping that somehow things would be better. Too often, I found myself hoping the same thing: that people would wake up and truly make the new year better than the last.

This time, however, I noticed something different. Traces of pessimism and doubt were rising up in my soul. I wasn’t as hopeful or optimistic as I had been in years gone by. Happy new year, indeed? I wasn’t so sure. People don’t seem to change—at least not on their own. Without someone or something reshaping the heart and mind, change rarely comes.

I pondered this for a while. Then I suddenly remembered a verse of Scripture I have often read:

II Corinthians 5:17 says:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, this person is a NEW creation; the old things passed away; behold, NEW things have come.

Maybe that’s the secret to a truly happy new year. Change the person in the mirror. Become someone new. Then the year itself might finally feel new—and truly happy.

Intrigued, I did a bit of research and found similar calls to newness throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

Isaiah 43:19 says:

Behold, I am doing a NEW thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Lamentations 3:22–23 says:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are NEW every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Romans 6:4 says:

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in NEWNESS of life.

Ephesians 4:24 says:

And to put on the NEW self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Hmm.

Maybe the secret to a happy new year is making sure you are the one who is new. Just a thought—but Lord knows this old world needs a NEW trajectory. If we could all get there, that would truly be Good News Only.

Amen!