It incorporates part of a previous blog post, Ritual for a New Year.
Symphony
of Praise
Tomorrow
begins the New Year: 2018.
We
say goodbye to 2017,
and
what a year it has been.
We look back at what has happened in the world,
in our nation, our community,
and in our individual lives.
We look back at what has happened in the world,
in our nation, our community,
and in our individual lives.
How
do you and I
look at endings and beginnings?
the
image of ‘father time and baby new year’
‘a
page turning and a new chapter begins’
‘a
door closes and a window opens’
‘out
with the old / in with the new’
Of
course with something new, there can be anxiety,
fear
of the unknown,
apprehension,
and uncertainty.
So
perhaps a quote from T. S. Elliot
nay
help us look at newness
in a different way.
: “What
we call the beginning is often the end.
And
to make an end is to make a beginning.
The
end is where we start from.”
The
end is where we start from.
Starting
at the end, that sounds to me like time
for ‘reflection’
a
time to see where we have been,
a
time to look back at accomplishments
and disappointments,
a
time to keep the good, and leave behind the sad.
We
have to know where you
and I have been
to
know where we are going.
That
is how you and I
can find joy in the
journey.
So
we look at today as an ending
and
tomorrow as a beginning.
Time
to reflect on what has been and
time
to look with hope
to what is to come.
Let
us start at the end.
A
few years ago, a friend sent me ‘ritual
for a new year’.
I
have changed it a little and adapted it some
to
be more that a secular ritual;
something
that incorporates prayer, reflection,
and
spiritual growth.
Here
are the basics…
Start
with a 10 - 15 minute time of meditation and prayer in which you set
your attention on releasing the old and opening yourself to the new.
Do
not
worry
about
anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God.
Next
on a piece of paper,
hand
write a list of all the things in 2017
that you'd like to
let go of.
This
can include old patterns that don't serve you,
grudges
or resentments you're hanging on to,
fears
that hold you back, or
circumstances
that you'd like to change.
Make
sure your list is as complete as possible
with
everything that didn't work for you in 2017.
If
it's easy for you to burn the list, then you can do that.
If
not, you can tear the list up in many pieces.
As
you release this list,
imagine
letting go of the energies that are
represented
on
your list.
Give
these worries over to God.Now,
on to creation.
Make
a list of all that you wish to create for yourself in 2018.
Include the habits you'd like to embrace,
the
external circumstances you'd like to create,
and
the internal experiences you'd like to have
(joy, freedom, ease,
love, peace,
acceptance of all
that is, etc.).
Be
as specific as possible.
Read the list aloud (whether you're alone or with others). Speaking it out adds more energy to it.
Read the list aloud (whether you're alone or with others). Speaking it out adds more energy to it.
Feel
each item as though it's actually happened.
You
can also read it as a form of prayer.
One
final step:
Pray.
And
remember the scripture from Philippians
4:6
Do
not
worry
about
anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God.
Save
the list; put it in a special place.
Notice
how you feel after doing this ritual
cleansed,
lighter, renewed,
excited about what's ahead, hopeful.
excited about what's ahead, hopeful.
That
feeling of release, of joy, of hope…
That
is what Psalm 148 is all about…
a
psalm of praise.
All
creation praising God;
lifting
their voices in a symphony
of praise.
Praise the
Lord!
Praising
God with joy!
This
is a Hallelujah Psalm…
an
invitation to all
creation:
Mountains
and all hills,
fruit
trees and all cedars!
and
all creatures:
Wild
animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!
creeping things and flying birds!
All
are invited to join in praising the Lord!
From
the heavens, a heavenly
choir:
Praise
him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!
praise him, all his host!
From
the earth, all
creation:
Praise
the Lord
from the earth…
his
glory is above earth and heaven.
All
people of the earth
join in:
Kings
of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young
men and women alike,
old
and young together!
Earth,
heaven, sky, sea, creation, creatures, people…
all
together in a symphony
of praise!
Praise
the Lord!
How
is creation to answer the call to praise?
Let
them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
for he commanded and they were created.
The
first chapter of Genesis: God the Creator…
In
the beginning
when God
created the heavens and the earth…
And
God said, “Let there be…
light,
sky,
land,
seas,
vegetation,
living
creatures of sky, sea, and land,
and
humankind.”
God
proclaimed creation good;
and
creation must respond
with praise for its Creator.
join
in the symphony of praise…
Praise the
Lord!
How
are you and I
to answer the call to praise?
We
can answer on behalf of all creation…
We
embrace our God given gifts,
using
the talents our Creator gave us;
We
embody Jesus’ teachings and become disciples,
taking
action as individuals and as a community of faith;
You
and I proclaim our
faith by our everyday actions
being
guided by the Holy Spirit.
We
live as Christians, not
just on Sunday, everyday;
not
just in the Christmas season…every
season.
Psalm
148 is a Psalm appropriate to Christmas and Easter,
yet,
also a psalm for all
seasons.
join
in the symphony of praise…
Praise the
Lord!
We
respond in praise because of our faith,
because
we know
God’s grace,
because
Jesus is
our Savior and Redeemer.
You
and I respond in praise in love…
as
God loves us,
we
reach out to each other in love.
join
in the symphony of praise…
Praise the
Lord!
A
final question…
How
do you want to end 2017 and begin the New Year?
With
worry? With fear?
Or
With
hope and joy?
Anxiety
or anticipation?
Is
it an ending or a beginning?
If
the end is where we start from,
has
this been a good end and
are
we ready for something new?
In
Henri Nouuwen's book:
Reaching
Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life,
Loneliness
to solitude,
Hostility
to hospitality,
Illusion
of control to prayer.
Taking
something old and
changing
to something new and better.
Small
steps leading to great
joy.
And
isn’t that our hope for the New Year?
Joy
as we journey…
loving
those around us…
embracing
our relationship with God…
and
answering the call with all
of creation to
join
in the symphony of praise…
Praise the
Lord!
~~~
Let
us pray…
Merciful
God,
We
have a desire to let things go,
To
give our worries, doubts, and fears over to you.
Let
it be as if we have placed them on a stone
which
sinks to the bottom of a pond.
Lead
us from: Loneliness to solitude,
Hostility
to hospitality.
Illusion
of control to prayer.
Guide
us on our path
and
let us embrace the joys you bring our way.
Let
it be as a flowing stream,
always
bringing the new possibilities to us.
Thank
you Lord.
As
we rejoice and pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
