There are a handful of things that I’m already looking forward to in 2016. While I’m sure there will be many pleasant surprises, these are five things I’m eagerly awaiting:

1.  A bit more Britain. We’re starting the year off well. First, we’ve got the Sherlock New Year’s special, our first foray into the world of Moffatt’s version of the detective in a couple of years. I’m still not sure how we’ll “go back in time,” but that’s okay. After that, we’ve got the final season of Downton Abbey to enjoy. It’s not the most engaging of shows for me, but it’s nice because of the scenery, pace, and overall story. It will be interesting to see how the show ends.

2.  Early spring will also see the release of Steven Curtis Chapman’s Worship and Believe album. I’ve spent some time listening to the first three releases from the album. While there is quite a bit of sonic similarity, I can’t help but feel like Chapman is “breaking new ground” by producing worship songs that are packed with Scripture. I’m hoping for a bit more variety from the finished product, but I’m not really complaining. The album drops March 4.

3.  I’ve been waiting for James K. A. Smith’s newest book for a while now. You Are What You Love is rooted in the thinking of Augustine (whose Soliloquies I hope to finish by year’s end). It’s all about what you love and how you love it. I think it will also be a good place to introduce new readers to some of Smith’s pet concepts (like cultural liturgies). The book drops drops at the end of March.

4.  Out of left field (but also a long time coming) for me is Tom Bissell’s Apostle: Travels Among the Tombs of the Twelve. I’ve been a fan of Bissell since I came across him as a reader of The Believer (an off-shoot of McSweeney’s). I really like is non-fiction voice, and I’m interested in seeing how he handles the traditions of what happened to the apostles of the early Christian church after the New Testament narrative ends.

5.  Finally: Earth-2. It’s been months since we were “first” introduced to the concept in The Flash (though it’s been around in the comics for ages). So far, we’ve mostly seen characters visit from there. The next few episodes of The Flash promise to take Barry to the other side (hopefully for more than one episode). It’s a nice chance to tell a different kind of story . . . one that will hopefully be full of Easter eggs for long-time fans.

Beyond that, there are at least a dozen movies (I imagine) that will have my attention. It will be interesting to see if the broader culture is tire of super-hero movies or if it’s just tired of poorly-made super-hero movies. Either way, it’s nice having something to forward to in 2016.

(image from ibtimes.com)