CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST
December 26, 2004
PRAY FOR:
Our congregation Our leaders, military and nation
David and Leon in the Navy Various relatives, friends and co-workers
The Henderson’s are traveling
EVENTS:
Dec. 27 - We will meet at the Museum of Natural History at 1 PM to tour the Dead Sea Scroll exhibit. Afterward, if you would like to eat out, will make plans to do so as well.
Jan. 1 - New Year’s Day
AULD LANG SYNE
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Can you believe it? The year is almost over! Where did it go? It seems that time just flies when we’re having fun, or growing older. As with many years, we said good-bye to some and hello to others. Some stayed in the same place and others moved. Some had good health and others had some problems. But life goes on and we look forward to next year. None of us knows what the new year will bring in our lives. That’s the nature of life. One thing we do know, God’s compassionate love never fails and we see it “every morning.” For that we are thankful.
There is a song we sing on New Year’s Eve as the new year begins. It was originally written by Robert Burns, Scotland’s preeminent poet, though he did not claim authorship to it. Over the years, and even during his lifetime, the words changed but the thought continued. It is sung at this time of the year in particular because it speaks of the past, present and future. As one author stated, it “mixes memory with desire, carrying away old friendships and bringing new.”
We sing the words but do we catch the meaning? The Scottish brogue is very difficult to understand at times. In one translation, Auld Lang Syne means something to the effect of “days now in the past.” Reflections of the past and the memories shared are something that we treasure. When we attended a fiftieth reunion of a congregation this past summer, we enjoyed remembering. There were tough times at that congregation, but there were many, many more good things to remember. Friendships developed and carried on, even at a distance, are of special value to all of us. The version of the song we sing is asking,
“Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days of auld lang syne?”
Yes or no? We don’t want to forget. The memories are pleasant. We laugh and cry at various events that we recall. We smile at the joys we shared we those now gone. A modern translation says, “Should old friends be forgotten and never remembered? Should old friends be forgotten and the days they shared together?” The obvious answer is no, they shouldn’t be forgotten. And isn’t this Biblical? God recalls past history to remind His people of His activities. At times, individuals are recalled in friendship terms. David is a man after God’s own heart and Abraham is God’s friend.
“And days of auld lang syne, my dear, And days of auld lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days of auld lang syne?”
That brings us to the present and the future. Those friends were important but they are gone in one way or another. Now we have new friends and relationships, and new memories to create and share.
And ther’s a hand, my trusty friend, And gie’s a hand o’ thine;
We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang syne.”
Again, a modern translation: “So take my hand, my trusty friend, and give my your hand, and we will take a hearty drink together, In memory of those days now in the past.” We humans are meant for fellowship. Sad is the person who is all alone, though no one is really alone when God is in the picture. We need fellowship and we need friends. There are many that we might call a friend in the sense that we might eat lunch with a co-worker, or share family pictures or even attend a movie with them. But there are those who are closer, those we share more intimate details with, those who would drop everything to be with us. They are the ones we think often about. While the song has in view friendship in general, a close friendship is definitely in mind.
So this coming Friday evening, whether partying or sitting quietly at home, it would be a good time to reflect on days of auld lang syne. We might shed a tear or two. We might even laugh out loud. We should not, we must not, forget our friendships, past or present. They give us hope and bring joy to life. Do you remember the movie, It’s A Wonderful Life? It is a movie that doesn’t mention God but it definitely reflects God and His ways. George Bailey wanted to leave his home town of Bedford Falls to see the world and make his fortune. But through a series of events, he couldn’t. Then his uncle lost some money from his struggling finance company. His whole world was caving in and he said that he wished he never been born. In comes Clarence the Angel who grants his wish. The town and people he knew were different or not there at all. His brother had died in an accident because George wasn’t there to save him, and in turn his brother couldn’t save a military ship. The druggist was a drunk because George wasn’t there to prevent a fatal mistake. His encouraging words were not spoken to a young lady and she turned out on the wrong side of the tracks. You see, George thought he did not make a difference, but he did! When he came back to reality, he returned home. It was then that he really found out that the fortune he sought was there the whole time. Friends came to bail him out of his financial problem. His brother said something to the effect that George was the richest man in town because of all his friends. And of course, the movie closed by singing “Auld Lang Syne.”
It is a wonderful life and the friendships we have we cherish. To days of auld lang syne!
George B. Mearns