New Year's Day

New Year is a big deal in the northern parts of England and Scotland. I’m not talking about fireworks and hangovers. Although I’m sure that may be a side-effect of their traditions. The first day of each New Year friends go from home to home wishing each other a good year ahead and celebrating their intentions with food and plenty of drink. (So maybe hangovers are part of the tradition.) Once midnight has passed, families consider the first guest over the threshold as a particular honor.

Doesn’t that just sound amazing? To imagine that we could just run all willy nilly over to each others’ homes with abandon and no concern for who might have the coronavirus? Ahhh Heaven! And to think we once took it all for granted!!

Here is a prayer traditionally spoken on New Year’s Day:

This day is a new day that has never been before.

This year is a new year, the opening door.

Enter, Lord Christ - we have joy in Your coming.

You have given us life; and we welcome Your coming.

I turn now to face You, I lift up my eyes.

Be blessing my face, Lord: be blessing my eyes.

May all my eye looks on be blessed and be bright, my neighbours, my loved ones be blessed in Your sight.

You have given us life and we welcome Your coming.

Be with us, Lord, we have joy, we have joy.

This year is a new year, the opening door.

Be with us, Lord, we have joy, we have joy.

Amen.