What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
Posted by: David Bunch
New Years, my wife and I agree, is one of the "weird" holidays. There are some holidays, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, that one looks forward to. You know it will be fun. There will be lots of food, fun, family, and festivities.
But New Years? Well, you can never be sure. It could be fun, but there are no guarantees. You might find yourself ringing in the New Year with A) a couple of good friends, B) at a big New Years' party, or C) all alone. What I'm saying is, we have no New Years tradition and usually just wing it.
Last year we went downtown on the mistaken assumption that there would be fireworks like they have on July 4th or bonfires like they have on Christmas Eve. All we found were a few drunk people, but I did come across a long lost friend that I had not seen in a while (he was not drunk). When we found the celebration lacking downtown, we went back home and rang in the New Year with absolutely no fanfare whatsoever (see C, above).
This year does have some potential for being a memorable New Year. For one thing, we have a youth department party at one of the leaders' house beginning at 8 and going thru midnight. This could be fun if there are fireworks and if some mischievous young person decides to do something crafty with them (although we want no emergencies or law infractions). It will also be fun to answer everyone's questions about our impending newborn for the 457th time ("no, he still isn't here-obviously").
Despite my reservations about New Years Eve, tomorrow (New Years Day), will be one of my favorite church services of the entire year. For us, it will take place at 4 pm. It is normally one of the highpoints in our church schedule. We'll have communion, repent of last year's mistakes, and make fresh commitments for the new year. Our Pastor will have an encouraging word to get us inspired for what lies ahead. There is just something special about everyone coming together to re-concecrate themselves to God, coupled with the anticipation of what all the new year will hold. It seems that God is with us in a special way on new years service.
Now let me share a funny story that I heard Bro Gordon Mallory tell once (from the pulpit, at that). He said he was in a "Watch Night" service in which they were going to pray and worship through the midnight hour and see the new year in with the church family. Just as the big moment arrived, tongues went forth. After a moment, the glorious interpretation came forward like this:
"Thus saith the Lord....Happy New Year"!!!!!
Some from the Benchwarmer(s) and the Lord, Happy New Year to all of you!
New Years, my wife and I agree, is one of the "weird" holidays. There are some holidays, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, that one looks forward to. You know it will be fun. There will be lots of food, fun, family, and festivities.
But New Years? Well, you can never be sure. It could be fun, but there are no guarantees. You might find yourself ringing in the New Year with A) a couple of good friends, B) at a big New Years' party, or C) all alone. What I'm saying is, we have no New Years tradition and usually just wing it.
Last year we went downtown on the mistaken assumption that there would be fireworks like they have on July 4th or bonfires like they have on Christmas Eve. All we found were a few drunk people, but I did come across a long lost friend that I had not seen in a while (he was not drunk). When we found the celebration lacking downtown, we went back home and rang in the New Year with absolutely no fanfare whatsoever (see C, above).
This year does have some potential for being a memorable New Year. For one thing, we have a youth department party at one of the leaders' house beginning at 8 and going thru midnight. This could be fun if there are fireworks and if some mischievous young person decides to do something crafty with them (although we want no emergencies or law infractions). It will also be fun to answer everyone's questions about our impending newborn for the 457th time ("no, he still isn't here-obviously").
Despite my reservations about New Years Eve, tomorrow (New Years Day), will be one of my favorite church services of the entire year. For us, it will take place at 4 pm. It is normally one of the highpoints in our church schedule. We'll have communion, repent of last year's mistakes, and make fresh commitments for the new year. Our Pastor will have an encouraging word to get us inspired for what lies ahead. There is just something special about everyone coming together to re-concecrate themselves to God, coupled with the anticipation of what all the new year will hold. It seems that God is with us in a special way on new years service.
Now let me share a funny story that I heard Bro Gordon Mallory tell once (from the pulpit, at that). He said he was in a "Watch Night" service in which they were going to pray and worship through the midnight hour and see the new year in with the church family. Just as the big moment arrived, tongues went forth. After a moment, the glorious interpretation came forward like this:
"Thus saith the Lord....Happy New Year"!!!!!
Some from the Benchwarmer(s) and the Lord, Happy New Year to all of you!
