Journeying with Hope into a New Year

Journeying with Hope into a New Year: Reflections for Advent and Christmas originated in 1982 when the Dekar family lived at Tantur, an ecumenical institute between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Paul Dekar and his wife Nancy sent family and friends a letter highlighting their experience of Christmastide in the Holy Land. Inspired by writing this message from afar, they continue each year to write a letter with family news, a moving quote from a hymn or literary work, and spiritual reflections. These provide the basis for thirty-one meditations to be read daily through the month of December. Each includes a biblical text, a brief meditation, and a prayer. These may enable readers to experience more than the commercialism of the season and be led to magnify Jesus, the One who is at the heart of why we celebrate Christmas or write New Years' Resolutions.