Embracing the New Year with Hope: The dawn of a new year is not only the turning of a calendar page, but a profound moment to seek the divine in our daily lives and to be guided by the light of hope that never fades. As we cross the threshold into this new year, we also carry with us the wisdom of those who have trodden the paths before us. Their journeys, marked by faith and resilience, teach us that we can embrace the unknown with courage and trust. Together, the light of the divine and memories of those before us, can steady and strengthen us as we enter the unknown of a new year. Each new year offers us a new chapter of possibilities. New beginnings bring with them the opportunity to rejuvenate our spirits and reconnect with what truly matters. This time of reflection allows us to honor the past while looking forward to the future with unwavering optimism. This passage from Minnie Louise Haskins' poem, "The Gate of the Year," reminds us that faith can strengthen our spiritual resiliency and illuminate our path even in the most uncertain of times. As we step into this new year, let’s embrace the unknown with a heart full of hope and trust in the divine guidance that has led us in the past. Let this New Year be guided by a spirit of prayer, gratitude, and acts of kindness. Seek to deepen your spiritual fitness with the divine, listen for divine guidance, and extend faith, hope, and understanding to those around you. As we set our new goals for 2026 and dream anew, may we carry a spirit of forgiveness, a heart open to service, and eyes that see God’s hand at work in our lives. Each sunrise offers an opportunity to step forward courageously, anchored in faith, welcoming the New Year not just as a passage of time, but as a chance for spiritual growth, renewed purpose, and living fully in divine grace. By Chaplain Ted Williams Force Chaplain MARSOC