New Year, Luke 2: 6-21 (1st January 2026)
Praise be to Jesus Christ 🙏
A teacher once asked, “What is the most important quality for success?”
The students eagerly responded with different answers. One said, “Hard work.” Another said, “Perseverance.” A third said, “Talent.”
The teacher smiled and replied, “These are all important, but the most important quality in my opinion is attitude. The way we approach life, its challenges, and its blessings determines our success.”
To make the point clearer, the teacher presented a puzzle: “Assign each letter of the word ATTITUDE its numerical value (A=1, B= 2, and so on). When you add them up, the total is a100. This shows that with the right attitude, we can reach our full potential—100%.”
In today’s Gospel (Luke 2:6–21), we see the power of attitude beautifully demonstrated. When the angel appeared to the shepherds and announced the birth of Jesus, they could have doubted the message or ignored it, given their lowly status in society. Instead, they said, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.” Their attitude of faith, humility, and joy led them to witness the greatest event in history: the birth of the Saviour.
We also see Mary’s attitude in this passage. Despite enduring many challenges; traveling while heavily pregnant and giving birth in a stable with no comfort, she didn’t complain. Instead, we read that “Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Her attitude of trust, surrender, and gratitude deepened her relationship with God and brought her immense peace amidst difficulties.
Let me share a real-life story that captures the essence of attitude. Many of us know Angel Di Maria, the famous Argentinian footballer. His childhood in Argentina was marked by poverty. As a young boy, Angel was hyperactive, which worried his parents. A doctor advised them to channel his boundless energy into sports. Taking this advice to heart, his mother, Diana Hernández, enrolled him in a local football club at the tender age of four.
The challenge, however, was significant. The training facility was nearly nine kilometres from their home. With her husband working long hours, Diana took it upon herself to ensure her son could pursue his passion. Every day, she cycled nine kilometres to drop Angel at training, often with his younger sister riding along as well. Angel eventually became one of the world’s greatest footballers. He often recalls his mother’s sacrifices with deep gratitude, saying that every goal he scores is a tribute to her love and perseverance. This story reminds us that a positive attitude, paired with love and determination, can transform lives, even in the face of challenges.
As we step into this New Year, let us take inspiration from the shepherds, from Mary, and from Diana Hernandez. Like the shepherds, let us have an attitude of faith and openness to God’s plans. Like Mary, let us treasure God’s blessings and trust in His will, even when the road seems tough. Like Diana, let us embrace challenges with love and determination, knowing that our efforts can bear fruit beyond our imagination.
This year, let us resolve to cultivate a positive attitude. Let us choose gratitude over complaints, faith over fear, and hope over despair. With the right attitude, we can face anything life brings, confident that God walks with us every step of the way.
As we celebrate the feast of Mary, the Mother of God, let us ask for her intercession. May Mary, the Mother of God, pray for us, that we may all have the right attitude to embrace life with faith, hope, and love, and journey closer to her Son, JESUS.
May this New Year bring renewed faith, hope, and joy to us all.
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Thank you Father for your inspiring message. Happy New Year 2026
Thank you Father for your inspiring message. Happy New Year 2026
Thank you for the continuous spiritual care and support. May God bless and continue to inspire and use you for His greater mission . 👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏🙏
A truly inspiring message❤️
Wishing you a really Blessed New Year 🙏🏽
It’s interesting to consider the attitude described in Luke 2:6-21, especially as we start a new year; I found some related reflections on perspective while browsing https://tinyfun.io/game/super-tank-wrestle.
Yes, Fr May this year help to change our attitude to have deep experience of God’s presence
Nirmal Mary SAB
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