The truth is I don’t make new year’s resolutions anymore.  It’s not because keeping them so often prove futile – in fact I have kept at least a few of those I’ve made over the years.  But I no longer make resolutions because they are too small and limiting.  They tend to deal with (for example) my weight and controlling my blood-sugar; with some pesky habits I want to beat, or others I want to develop.

Last year and this new year I have left off resolutions for broad themes.  For example, the theme for 2011 was Preparation.  To ready myself in mind and material for the hard times that are all but certain to come upon our nation and communities, upon the church, my family and me personally.  Obviously the theme of Preparation carries over into 2012.

But this year’s theme is two-fold, and far more lofty:  Holiness and Hope.  Actually it is a single theme.  Holiness and Hope are shorthand for:  striving for personal Holiness in gratitude to God for his grace to me through Christ my eternal Hope.

We shall see how this theme plays out in 2012.