It’s a new day, new year, and the dawn of the new ’20s.
Will we be dancing the “new” Charleston whilst quaffing champagne? I don’t think I’ll go with the champagne, but dancing seems the thing to do…
We saw in the new year by drinking Grapetise with the boys, and pulling Christmas crackers that I’d bought cheap from the post Christmas sales. We toasted to new experiences, then went to bed. Such excitement!
I don’t do New Year Resolutions, but it’s still a good time to think about what this year can bring. To say goodbye to the dying year, and look ahead to the dawning light.
My Aunt sent me a card, which references Tennyson’s “Ring Out, Wild Bells” – here’s the full text.
- Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
- The flying cloud, the frosty light:
- The year is dying in the night;
- Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
- Ring out the old, ring in the new,
- Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
- The year is going, let him go;
- Ring out the false, ring in the true.
- Ring out the grief that saps the mind
- For those that here we see no more;
- Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
- Ring in redress to all mankind.
- Ring out a slowly dying cause,
- And ancient forms of party strife;
- Ring in the nobler modes of life,
- With sweeter manners, purer laws.
- Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
- The faithless coldness of the times;
- Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
- But ring the fuller minstrel in.
- Ring out false pride in place and blood,
- The civic slander and the spite;
- Ring in the love of truth and right,
- Ring in the common love of good.
- Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
- Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
- Ring out the thousand wars of old,
- Ring in the thousand years of peace.
- Ring in the valiant man and free,
- The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
- Ring out the darkness of the land,
- Ring in the Christ that is to be.
Seems like a call to wipe out the old year entirely… I’m sure some of us feel like doing that!
Yesterday I binged on some of my favourite episodes of Doctor Who. Looking back, it seems like they all talked about feeling lost in this world, unnoticed and unappreciated by others, and feeling like you have nothing to give. Happily, each ended with the respective characters finding their worth in one way or another. This is one of my favourite scenes!
If there is anything I want for this year, it’s that we all find where we’re meant to be – our place in the world, our worth, and the people who love and need us.
Let us arise and soar into the wild sky!
A quote from Vincent –
“Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all.”
…and a song to hope with.
...it's time to walk in to the new year.
1000 Fields of Roses 