Happy New Year, and welcome back to A Countryman’s View.
I can hardly believe I’m saying this, but I haven’t posted here for about two and a half months. It wasn’t deliberate. Life has simply been busy, and my time has been pulled in several directions. I do some work online, I have a couple of other channels that take time, and I’m also in the process of potentially moving house — so the weeks have flown by.
During this period, I’ve also been exploring a few investment and income ideas. One of them has been working very well for me, and I’m thankful for that. A Christian lady introduced me to it, and I’ll place a link to the presentation beneath this post for anyone who is interested. As always, do your own research and take personal responsibility for any decisions you make.
Putting Christ Back Into Christmas
One of the main reasons I wanted to record an update is because I attended a carol concert in London (Whitehall) around ten days or so before Christmas — I believe it was on the 13th of December. It was a striking event, not because it was perfect, but because of what was clearly happening in people’s hearts.
There were many testimonies shared between the carols — people openly talking about how Jesus has changed their lives, and how the only lasting change our country will ever see is not political, but spiritual. It reminded me of something I’ve written about before: the difference between a headline and what you actually witness on the ground.
In recent months there has been a lot of discussion in the UK about free speech, public faith, and how events are framed afterwards. If you’re interested in that wider theme, you may also want to read: We Have Free Speech In The UK!!!
I’m aware that some people have labelled gatherings like this in a negative way. But what I saw was not “far-right” people looking for trouble. What I saw were individuals from all sorts of backgrounds who were openly acknowledging Christ, wanting truth, and recognising that Britain was built on Christian values — values that have been steadily eroded.
This isn’t to say every person there is a mature Christian, or even that everyone there has made a full commitment to Christ yet. But that is precisely why the church needs wisdom and compassion. Sometimes the Lord draws in people who are rough around the edges — and discipleship is part of the Great Commission.
It also reminded me of another post I wrote about a major London gathering where public declarations of faith were front and centre: London Rally – “Jesus Is King”
A New Year Is a Good Time to Reset
As we begin 2026, it feels like a good time to reset our focus. Not in a “New Year’s resolution” way, but in a deeper, spiritual way — remembering what truly matters.
One verse that felt especially appropriate is:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
That is the great hope of the gospel. Not self-improvement, but a new life — a new heart — a new creation in Christ.
Another passage that was on my mind is this:
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
(Revelation 22:12–13)
We don’t know when the Lord will return. We don’t know how long we each have. That isn’t meant to create fear — it’s meant to produce clarity, urgency, and faith.
Bible Reading Plans and Staying Grounded
Like many people, I often like to read the Bible through in a year. This past year I didn’t manage it, but I want to get back into a structured reading plan again. It’s remarkable how much strength and stability comes simply from being in the Word every day.
If you’re thinking about a reading plan as we begin this new year, you may find this older post helpful, where I talk about the importance of Scripture and reading plans:
And if you simply want a straightforward encouragement to take one verse at a time and build consistency, you might also like:
If You’re Not Yet a Christian
If you’re reading this and you’re not a Christian, I want to keep it simple. The most important decision you will ever make is what you do with Jesus Christ.
Many years ago I prayed a simple prayer like the one below, and it was the best decision I ever made. If you pray this sincerely and mean it, turning to Christ in faith, the Bible teaches that God gives new life — the gift of eternal life.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I acknowledge You as Lord and Saviour of my life. I repent of all my sins and I ask You today to take over complete control of every aspect of my life. Amen.
Going Forward
I won’t be posting videos every day, but I do want to get back into more of a routine again. This channel has always been a place for reflection — a space to speak honestly about faith, life in Britain, and the issues of the day, without the pressure to chase trends.
Thank you for reading, thank you for watching, and I genuinely wish you a very happy New Year.
Roy Bretton