auld syne

At midnight tonight you can hear—and possibly join in singing—auld lang syne. Merriam-Webster defines auld lang syne as the good old times. The song raises the question; should we forget our times and deeds of the past? The song answers its own question, offering a redemptive solace from past troubles, by suggesting kindness. What a wonderful way to bring in a New Year!

Also, in recent weeks, maybe you have seen or heard A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens—possibly more often than you preferred. The story, in essence, recounts the coldness and disdain Ebenezer Scrooge held toward his employees, neighbors, and people in general. You and I will not have Ebenezer Scrooge’s chance to review how other people experienced our mistakes and blunders; many of which we did not consider to be mistakes or blunders.

James Thurber wrote, Let us not go back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness. Good advice to take into a new beginning. The opportunity for a new start, a new beginning, looms large on January 1 each year. The name, January, comes from the Greek god, Janus, who was the god of new beginnings, war ceasing, and peace beginning. Maybe in all our revelry we will catch sight of new opportunities, hope, joy and the wisdom; and put them into practice. There will be new beginnings; even failures offer new beginnings.

If we had the opportunity to review the past, as did old Scrooge, we would likely find some regrets, or wish for some do-overs. The Scottish poet Robert Burns (also the author of auld lang syne) wrote, O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us! Yet, the refrain of auld lang syne suggests healing, if not redemption from the past, leaving ample room for future hope. So, as the chorus of auld lang syne says, let’s tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne (emphasis added).

In the midst of the great travails the Children of Israel faced, the Prophet Isaiah reminded them of their Covenant with God; he spoke of the New Thing God was doing among them. The Gospel writer, Matthew, was trying to show that God was doing a new thing. It certainly perplexed the first hearers. Some had to go to see what was being told them. Rev. Dr. Terry Walton said maybe the angel was trying to say, “Fear not, God is doing a new thing in the world.” Sometimes it is very difficult to take in transformation happening right before your eyes. Then, in the last book of the Bible, while on the Isle of Patmos, Old John The Revelator tells of the vision God promised; to make all things new.

We cannot see what this New Year will hold for us. But we can trust the One Who holds us. We celebrated that just six days ago—Emanuel; God with us. Take heart, and hope, dear reader. Have a Happy—and kind—New Year.