The New Year is always a great time of assessment and goal setting. Most of us pause with the coming of the new year and reflect on all that has taken place in the previous year - good or bad. That reflection often leads us to take steps, if only in our minds, toward a better year.

There are many things in this world that vie for our attention. We’re all looking for some sort of truth that promises a good life, that promises understanding, that promises peace, comfort, love, etc. The big problem is most of those things aren’t Jesus. 

For many of us, Christmas is busy and is more about time with family and friends than those who don’t know Christ. Even when we make the time to set our gaze on Christ during Advent, it is more often an inward focus than an outward one. But is this how it ought to be?