Hey friends — welcome to 2026! I’m so glad you’re here, and I’m really excited about what God has for us as we step into a brand-new year together. This month, we’re starting a new series called One Word 2026, and it’s meant to be a gentle but intentional way to reflect, respond, and reconnect with God as we begin the year.

In this episode, I’m walking you through why I love taking the whole month of January to pause and listen — rather than rushing into resolutions or putting pressure on yourself to “get it all together” by January 1. We’re going to start with Philippians 1:3–11, where Paul reminds us that we can have real confidence because God is still working in us, and He’s not finished.

Then I’m going to share six words I’ve been praying over for our community — six spiritual intentions that I believe reflect the kind of growth God may be inviting us into this year. You don’t have to choose one right away, and you definitely don’t have to force it — but I hope that one of these words will resonate in your spirit and give you a steady anchor for 2026.

What We Cover:

1. Confidence is available to you — because God is the one doing the work

One of the biggest themes in Philippians 1 is this: God finishes what He starts. So you don’t have to rely on your own strength to grow this year — you can rely on His.

2. You don’t grow to earn God’s love — you grow because you already have it

This is so important: we’re saved by grace, and spiritual growth is our response to that grace. We’re not proving anything. We’re simply saying, “God, I want more of You.”

3. January can be a month of spiritual discernment, not pressure

I want you to feel free to take your time. The goal isn’t to pick a word immediately — it’s to listen and let God guide you.

4. One Word is a simple practice that helps you pay attention to God all year long

A “word for the year” isn’t magic, but it can be really powerful. It helps you notice what God is doing, focus your prayers, and stay spiritually anchored as life gets busy.

Resources Mentioned: Free One Word 2026 Companion Guide

If you want to walk through this with me in a more intentional way, I put together a free companion guide you can download here: https://nicoleunice.kit.com/newyear

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As we wrap up our year together, I want to invite you into this meaningful spiritual practice: looking back on 2025 through the lens of Psalm 107 to identify the “fingerprints of God’s faithfulness.”

In this episode, we'll walk through four redemptive storylines found in the Psalm—each representing a way God rescues, restores, and reorients His people. Whether you felt lost, trapped, wounded, self-destructive, or overwhelmed by storms, I encourage you to reflect on how God met you in weakness and brought deliverance.

We'll close with encouragement for 2026, including the return of my “One Word” series and an upcoming study of Hebrews with a downloadable study guide.

What We Cover:

1. God invites believers to tell their story

Psalm 107 opens with an invitation: “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” Reflect on how God has been present—even when it was hard to see.

2. Wisdom comes from reflecting on God's loving deeds

The final verse of Psalm 107 is a guiding practice: wise people heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

3. Psalm 107 gives four redemption storylines to help interpret your year

Psalm 107 offers us four major story arcs that may mirror parts of your 2025:

• From Longing to Belonging (lost → led home)
• From Broken to Free (bondage/shame → freedom)
• From Foolish to Healed (self-destruction → inner renovation)
• From Pride to Peace (storms and overwhelm → God stills the waves)

4. God often meets us when we are at the end of ourselves

Each storyline shares a common theme: people reach the end of their rope, cry out to God, and He responds with rescue. This directly connects us to Jesus’ teachings—less self-reliance opens space for more of God.

5. 2026 will include a “One Word” January + Hebrews Study (Feb–Easter)

I'll preview a return to my popular One Word series and share more about a full study of the Book of Hebrews, with a study guide starting in February.

Want More?

You can still listen to past episodes and download the Daniel Study Guide at https://nicoleunice.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this final Advent music episode, Nicole Unice explores the beloved hymn “O Come, All You Faithful” as a powerful invitation—not just to celebrate Christmas, but to respond to it. Rather than merely observing the season, listeners are invited to come, behold, adore, and worship Christ as the center of the Christmas story. Drawing from Scripture across the Old and New Testaments, Nicole unpacks how this hymn calls us into joyful worship, faithful perseverance, and intentional participation in the life of Christ. This episode closes the Christmas hymns series with a reminder that true joy is found not in tradition alone, but in worshiping Jesus as Lord.

Key Takeaways / Learning Points

• Joy is a posture of worship, not just a feeling

• Jesus is not just part of the Christmas story—He is the center of it

• Worship is the natural response to beholding Christ

• Faithfulness means continuing to receive God’s love, even in imperfection

• Christmas invites us to actively respond, not passively observe

• When we adore Christ, our hearts find true rest and alignment

Bible Verses Referenced

Psalm 100:1–2 – Worship the Lord with joy
https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/100-1.html

Micah 5:2 – The prophecy of Bethlehem
https://www.biblestudytools.com/micah/5-2.html

Matthew 2 – The Magi worship Jesus
https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/2.html

Luke 2:8–20 – Angels announce Christ’s birth
https://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/2-8.html

John 1:1–14 – The Word became flesh
https://www.biblestudytools.com/john/1-14.html

Colossians 1:15–17 – Christ supreme over creation
https://www.biblestudytools.com/colossians/1-15.html

Revelation 5:12 – Worthy is the Lamb
https://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/5-12.html

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Christmas Eve Family Liturgy
  https://nicoleunice.com/christmas

• Hymn: “O Come, All You Faithful”

• Author Quote: C.S. Lewis

  “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, but if true, of infinite importance.”

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.