As we welcome the New Year, I extend my heartfelt wishes for peace, joy, and love to each of you. This season of renewal and hope holds a special meaning for all of us, as we reflect on the past and look forward to the future with faith in our hearts.
As we stand on the threshold of this New Year, the words from Jeremiah encourage and uplift our spirits: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11). This promise from God is a beacon of hope, assuring us that our journey, steered by faith, leads towards a future filled with God's blessings and care.
This year, the celebration of the New Year holds an added layer of joy and gratitude for me personally. For the first time, my parents were able to join us in the United States for the New Year's celebrations. The sight of them in prayer, in a land far from where they first taught me to cross myself, was a vivid reminder of the enduring nature of our faith and traditions.
The New Year symbolizes a fresh start, a time to set new goals and aspirations. Yet, as I observed my parents, I was struck by the realization that our beginnings are deeply rooted in the past. The traditions they upheld, the faith they nurtured in me, have traveled across oceans and thrived in a new soil. This blend of old and new, the sacred continuity of our heritage, is a powerful testament to the resilience of our Armenian spirit.
In this moment of transition, we are reminded that while our physical surroundings may change, the core of our being – our faith, values, and traditions – remains constant. It is this unchanging essence that provides stability and direction as we navigate the uncertainties of life. Let us embrace the new year with an open heart, carrying forward the legacy of those who came before us while forging our own unique path.
May this year bring you all peace, joy, and a deeper connection to your faith and to each other.
