A Time for Renewal

The Christmas season is more than giving gifts, spending time with loved ones, or attending services. It is the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Moreover, we must also celebrate the freedom to be able to glorify our Savior during the sacred Christmas season. As Christmases come and go with each passing year, what remains is how we choose to renew our faith and trust in the Lord as we usher in the new year. 
 With political debate and discussion becoming more day-to-day among family and friends, divides are becoming more apparent with our fellow man. Christmas grants us an opportunity to come together to celebrate. 
 One of my favorite year-end activities is hearing others' resolutions for the coming New Year. Too often, once Christmas is over, we jump straight to planning our New Year's parties and thinking how we can best ring in the coming year. The love and joy we spread at Christmas should be carried throughout the remainder of the year because there is no better resolution with which to start 2025 than your faith. 
 I am reminded of this prayer, written by an unknown author, that reflects on the new year: 
 "As we step into the uncharted pages of the new year, we thank You for the gift of fresh beginnings. Bless our journey with courage to face challenges, wisdom to make righteous choices, and resilience to embrace change. Illuminate our paths with hope, and may the chapters of this year be stories of growth, joy, and meaningful connections. Remind us, Father, that we have far more in common with our neighbor than we might think. Grant us the strength to let go of the past, live fully in the present, and welcome the future with open hearts. Amen." 
 As 2024 comes to a close, I would like to reflect and give thanks to all the blessings and even the hardships this year has brought me. With each hardship faced, I remember to nevertheless remain thankful for my family, my country, and most importantly my faith. As the Apostle Paul wrote in a letter to the Romans, "We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." 
 Again, I want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 
 I will begin the new year convening the 2025 Regular Session in Frankfort. I am excited about the great potential we have as Kentuckians, and resolved to work with other members to achieve that potential. We can do great things when we work together, but we must also ensure we do the right things for our commonwealth and its people. 
 I hope to hear from you about the issues we are considering. As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at Timmy.Truett@kylegislature.gov and keep track of interim committee meetings through the Kentucky legislature's website at legislature.ky.gov.