After 2022, I couldn’t watch another televised countdown. No more hyper-sexual dancing, thong-revealing outfits, or raunchy lyrics. No more nose jobs, filled lips, or lip syncing. I wanted a real and heartfelt new year.
My daughter doesn’t need the things pop culture celebrates in a new year show. She needs to step across January first holding her Father’s hand.
In a plastic pop culture saturated in nonsense, it’s hard to find the richness and depth our Creator has to offer. I wanted to march into the new year arm-in-arm with the Maker of all things–and toward every good thing he has for us.
I was craving a God-centered New Year.
So I thought about what I wanted. And I created it. You can, too.
We created a New Year tradition–simple enough that we pulled it off with a bag of balloons and a marker, heartfelt enough that I still smile thinking about it.
Here’s exactly what we did–and what we’ll do again in a few short weeks:
- We cut tiny slips of paper. On each slip I wrote a single Scripture reference—verses that feel like God leaning over the edge of heaven saying, “Watch what I’m about to do.” Isaiah 43:19, Lamentations 3:22-23, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 1:3, Psalm 98, Revelation 21:5.
- We folded those slips, tucked them inside balloons, and blew until our cheeks hurt. Six balloons, six promises from God. Then we drew giant clock faces on each balloon with Sharpie.
- Each balloon got its own time written on the clock face—7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00. When the kitchen clock hit that number, somebody got to grab one and POP.
- Put on some favorite music and pop the first balloon! Inside every burst was a treasure hunt straight into the Word. We passed the Bible around the circle, little fingers finding books they’d never opened before, big voices reading words that made the whole year ahead feel possible.
Between POPs, we:
- Grazed on every appetizer known to man while our favorite music played
- Lit candles and told stories about the year’s best book, the funniest trip, the song that carried us through
- Looked each other in the eye and said, “Here’s where I saw Jesus in you this year.”
- Thanked God out loud for every mercy and blessing
And when the last balloon surrendered with a bang, we knelt on the living-room rug—pajama pants, crumbs, and all—and prayed the new year in. We blessed one another. We handed the whole blank calendar to the One who already knows every day of it.
That was it. No ball drop. No champagne (unless you count sparkling grape juice in plastic flutes). Just Jesus, family, and the quiet certainty that we are walking into January arm-in-arm with the God who makes all things new.
Each of the things we did are completely doable–just a pack of balloons needed. But if you like your New Year discussion questions pretty, you’ve probably already guessed I made a printable download for you.
Whether you run with our ideas or are inspired to create your own, here’s to welcoming a heartfelt New Year. Here’s to a Savior who never tires of making all things new. And here’s to you, who never tires of offering the best for your family’s faith.
Whatever territory you’re navigating, step into the new year holding God’s hand. And keep cultivating their seeds of faith. Simply. For true legacy.
You may also like this post containing our Faith-Forming Family Habit Tracker. Great for fresh goals!