The transition into a New Year often carries with it a quiet but powerful sense of expectation. As 2026 begins, it offers more than a change of dates; it invites individuals, families, and communities to pause, reflect, and deliberately choose the direction of the journey ahead. Beyond resolutions and optimism, the New Year challenges us to begin again—this time with deeper purpose and a renewed desire to draw closer to God and be a better self-version.

The Church frames this season of new beginnings with rich meaning, deepened by this Sunday’s readings (the Epiphany of the Lord). In beginning anew, the Feast of the Epiphany with its message of revelation and guidance continues to echo strongly. The light that led the Magi reminds us that every new journey requires direction, attentiveness, and openness to God’s presence along the way. Whether at the level of personal decisions or collective aspirations, the feast calls for attentiveness to values that guide lasting progress. In a world still grappling with uncertainty, insecurity, economic pressure, and social fragmentation, Epiphany proclaims a powerful message: light still shines, and the journey forward is not without guidance. It is also fitting that the year begins with the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Her quiet trust and openness to God’s will offer a model for how to enter a New Year: not with anxiety, but with faith and total surrender to God’s will.

The features in this week’s edition reflect new beginnings in practical ways. For instance, reports on the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family in some parishes highlight the family as a vital space for nurturing faith and values in the year ahead. The diaconate ordination of nine (3 for Ibadan Archdiocese) seminarians points to renewal through service and commitment, reminding us that every new beginning carries a call to self-giving and service to mankind. Health-related articles underscore the need for holistic renewal, recognizing that spiritual growth is strengthened by care for the body and mind. If we would want to go far in this New Year, then good health should not be underrated. Caring for the body remains a moral responsibility, not just a personal choice.

Taken together, these stories speak to the heart of the New Year, a new beginning in motion: a call to intentional living rooted in faith, families strengthened, and well-being promoted. As 2026 unfolds, the invitation remains clear—to walk more closely with God, guided by His light, so that this New Year becomes not just a fresh start, but a deeper step toward Him.

May this New Year not simply pass, but transform us. And may the light revealed at Epiphany continue to illuminate our paths, individually and collectively, as we journey forward into a future shaped by faith, service, and renewed purpose.