God’s kindness
This week, people from around the world gathered to welcome 2026. One of my favorite things about New Years is to learn the customs from around the world that help to welcome the next year. These traditions are expressions of new beginnings, and wishes for fortune, health, and peace.
In Spain, it’s believed that if someone ate 12 grapes within the first 12 seconds of the new year, it would manifest good luck. In Greece, people would hang bundles of onions over their door to invite good fortune into their homes. In Denmark, people are invited to jump off a chair and if they land on their feet, they will have good health and luck for the year. In some countries, there are traditions to sweep out the bad fortune of the last year from homes for a fresh start in the coming year. And these are just to name a few of these customs.
Whether we believe that these traditions are just for fun or for hope that they might manifest good fortune and health, I believe we all hope for a year that will bring us goodwill, health, and peace. We all wish for this year to be kind to us.
Though a kind year may not mean a ‘perfect’ year. We will all experience a challenge or a few, or maybe we will experience some form of grief or fear, but a kind year means recognizing God’s love manifested in this world and in one another. This love was, and is, incarnated as this tiny little baby that also didn’t come into the world during a perfect year.
While we welcome a new year across the globe, some of our Christian siblings will recognize a feast day called the “Holy Name of Jesus,” where eight days after his birth, this little baby will be called Jesus, giving a name to God’s kindness manifested into this world. This kind manifestation will teach, walk, and share meals with so many people and will bring us into new beginnings through the Cross and resurrection. This kindness of God that is walking among us now and among the people that we will encounter throughout this year and beyond.
In this next year, may we take a moment to remember God’s kindness for us, for one another, and for all people. May we proclaim the good news of God’s kindness through sharing a meal together, praying for one another, or through sharing God’s kindness, and love in our communities and throughout the world. May you remember God’s kindness that is here for and among you.
Happy New Year!
Deborah Dayman
“…a kind year means recognizing God’s love manifested in this world and in one another.”
Thank you for this beautiful reminder, for your kindness and for faithfully proclaiming the good news.
Beverly Esds
Thanks for sharing Maddy. My cousin’s in Denmark don’t necessarily jump from a chair on New Year’s. They tell me that precisely at midnight, they jump as they are able into the new year. It’s an interesting custom.
Beverly Esds
Thanks for sharing Maddy. My cousin’s in Denmark don’t necessarily jump from a chair on New Year’s. They tell me that precisely at midnight, they jump as they are able into the new year. It’s an interesting custom.
Diana Holland
Thank you for your beautiful message.
Wishing you peace and kindness in this new year.
Nancy Ingelson
Thank you, Maddy. This is a loving and gentle reflection of your attentive regard for all. And a proclamation of God’s kindness, the incarnation of God’s grace placed in our lives—the Holy Name of Jesus.
Janette Schmidt
Thank you Pastor Maddy for a helpful and hopeful post.
Paula McPherson
Very insightful. Traditions are important to carry on togetherness among families and cultures. Thank-you. Well written.