I can’t believe another year has come and gone. It has been such a crazy year with so many ups and downs. As we bring in a New Year it is important to make sure we start it off right.
Here are three ways to ring in the New Year with your family.
Choose a patron Saint for the Year
I started doing this years ago. Every new year, I find a Saint Name generator (Catholic Link has a good one) say a prayer that God guide me to the saint I need for that year, and click the button to find my saint!
This can also be done with a book of saints. After saying your prayer for guidance, close your eyes (or not…I just feel like I have less control over the outcome when closing my eyes) and open the book to a random page.
This saint you have found is your patron for that year! I like to study up on the saint that I found…What can I say?! I’m a researcher!! You can also print off pictures of your child’s saint of the year and hang it where they can see it!
Remember, God sent you this saint for a reason. Maybe they have something to say to you through their life or writing. Or maybe, they want to bring your prayers to God for you!
As an added bonus, you have found a fun new activity for your New Year’s Eve!
Review Your Year with God
This can be done alone, with the rest of the family (or both!). To do this, take a moment to reflect on your year. Think about all the times that you saw God in the everyday. This is a wonderful time to reflect on all the graces God has given you through the year.
I like to write down these moments so that I can see them listed out. You can also help your children in their reflections, helping them write a “thank you letter” to God.
This also gives us a moment to talk to God about any concerns that we may have in the coming year, fully realizing how God has already taken care of us in the previous year!
Make Catholic New Year’s Resolutions
Since it is the beginning of the year, it is a wonderful time to commit to something new. This year, I am going to try to read the Bible in a year. Other resolutions could be that you will watch your temper (another commitment I am praying for), to pray the Rosary every day, to spend 15 minutes a day in prayer, or receive the sacraments more often.
As a mom, I like to make resolutions that are for me (like be a better example to my children), and some that I share with the family (like read the Bible, or pray the rosary daily.)
Whether you spend the beginning of the New Year finding a saint for the year, reviewing your previous year to give thanks or making Catholic resolutions, the most important thing is that you make sure that you take some time to pray in this new year! When we make sure to include our children in these Christ-filled activities, we are creating a habit of remembering God in all things.
Mommy's Prayer 