Friday 1 January 2010

Praying in 2010

Ring Out, Wild Bells


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.


Alfred, Lord Tennyson



This poem written by Tennyson so long ago is still appropriate for today, my reason for posting it here.


So Happy New Year to all who visit as we look ahead into 2010


Sitting here at my desk this first morning of the new year I am overwhelmed at the goodness of God through yet another year. I am particularly thankful for the opportunity afforded me to see the new year in, in the way that we do.


We began at 7.0 pm meeting next door with about 30 neighbours who are part of our house church set up. We ate a delicious meal together - either chicken or salmon served with a six vegetable cheese topped crumble,roasted tomatoes and new potatoes, followed by a delicious mix of deserts.





This was followed by a mixture of silly party games. We were divided into teams and given a roll of Christmas wrapping paper, a few decorations and a roll of cellotape with which to make something resembling a Christmas tree! The one seen here was the most elaborate but they did not win as they 'stole' other bits and pieces from around the house to enhance their ensemble. Very good effort though.



Here we see the winner!

Our team did not do well with our tree - our roll of cellotape did not work - you know the type, you just cannot find the end! However we did manage to make a tripod stand with the cardboard inside the roll of paper.
As we moved later into the evening with games over, we moved into a time of waiting on God for new revelation for the new year before a time of praise, worship and prayer. We were so taken up with exhalting our Saviour we were totally unaware that we had moved into 2010 until about 12.10 am. After a time of hugging and greeting each other it was time to go home.
For me the end of a blessed time was to momentarily revisit the old year by phoning my dear blogging friend Sara in California.

20 comments:

Darla said...

One should never do anything without having the Lord in the center! Very nice celebration here!!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

What a wonderful way to see the New Year in...I love the decorating game. I've never seen that one done before. Many blessings for a Happy New Year to you!

Adrienne said...

Oh how I wish I could have joined you! That's the way I love to bring in the new year - with good friends of like faith, praising and praying together. Happy New Year to you, my friend, and to those you hold dear. May this year bring you blessings beyond measure and joy that fills your heart abundantly! ~Adrienne~

Tracy Golightly-Garcia said...

Barbara

I loved the poem! Sounds like you all had a good time bringing in the New year.

I agree with Darla on "Lord should be the center" of everything.

Best
Tracy :)

A Brit in Tennessee said...

looks like you all had a lovely time, and sharing fellowship, the real importance.
I had to laugh at the creations !
Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year, may it be filled with much love, happiness and good health!
Cheers,
Jo

Willow said...

Happy New Year, Barbara! Anticipating what God will do in 2010...

Susan said...

What a wonderful way to end your year and what a creative game to play. Have to remember that one :o)
Susan

Come Away With Me said...

Happy New Year, Barbara and Alan!

By the way, I love your new profile photo.

Vee said...

Love your new photo in the sidebar...you beautiful gal, you!

Sounds like the perfect way to see in a New Year even if you did "miss it." I don't believe you missed it at all.

A happy evening to you and a wonderful new year!

Vee said...

Oh forgot to say that I've never read that poem in its entirety. It sure does nail the current climate. Hmmmm, perhaps there really is nothing new under the sun.

Anonymous said...

It looks like everyone had fun and what a way to start a year out. Happy New Year.

Willow

Sue said...

Thank you for sharing that poem. How appropriate it is indeed!

I welcome 2010 in an optimistic spirit...God was SO GOOD to us in 2009...I am confident His love will that much more bless us in this new year!

Happy New Year from Indiana, USA. It is COLD here tonight!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful celebration you had. When God is in the center all is good and well. All the blessings of the New Year to you and yours.
QMM

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

What a wonderful celebration. The poem was beautiful, I truly appreciated you sharing it..fits!! Happy New Year..hugs ~lynne~

a woman who is said...

Well that poem does seem so appropriate.

Looks like a good time was had. God is good and what a wonderful way to ring in the New Year by telling Him so =]

Rachel said...

A lovely way to see in the New Year! Congratulations on your recent Golden Wedding anniversary - that is quite an achievement, and something worth celebrating!

I saw Cranford - I did enjoy it, but I have to say, I think I agree with you that I don't think it matched the first series, though I can't quite put my finger on why. I think I enjoyed the dynamic of all the characters in series 1 - especially with Eileen Atkins/Miss Deborah.

Patsy said...

You were my blog friend for the first of the month.
Hugs Patsy

Annie Jeffries said...

I love that decorating game you played. I've seen bride wraps with TP but never anything like this. What fun.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Barbara- I hope it brings lots of special things for you.

What a fun party game!

Jane said...

Barbara
Have you heard Godfrey's new song based on the Wild Bells poem? It's brilliant...it'll be on his new CD this year.