No one told me that bells were associated with New Year's. I know that some people like to fire guns and have fire works, but no one told me about bells.
Bells have always been connected with New Year's, and are pictured on our greeting cards, but we've pretty much forgotten what bells signify. The meaning of the bell reaches far back in human history. The bells have called Christians of many ages to pray, to rejoice, to mourn, as one. They summon us to Mass, announce marriages, toll deaths, ring out the feasts. Thus the theme of the bells can bring to mind the Christian life which we share in common. The bells serve as a beautiful symbol introducing a new year to be spent together as a community of families or a group working.
I was looking online for a "fitting" prayer for New Year's Eve. After looking through several this is the one I have chosen to use.
God, thank you for a new year. May everyone in our family be willing to begin anew with a clean slate. We know that you are always ready to forgive us. Help us to be willing to forgive ourselves and to forgive one another.
As we begin a new year, remind us of our truest values and our deepest desires. Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what you want us to do. Help us to put aside anxiety about the future and the past, so that we might live in peace with you now, one day at a time.
As we begin a new year, remind us of our truest values and our deepest desires. Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what you want us to do. Help us to put aside anxiety about the future and the past, so that we might live in peace with you now, one day at a time.
God Bless and Happy New Year!
Well said! I'm excited for this new year. I'm glad you're back within driving distance. Well, a reasonable driving distance.
ReplyDeleteBen and I are doing a couple's devotional called "Day by Day". It accompanies the Love Dare book.
Do share. Is the Love Dare Book and Day by Day together or separate. I was thinking about those for February, you know for love month :). Let me know which ones I need.
ReplyDeleteThe Love Dare is a separate book. It goes with the movie Fireproof. The Day by Day book is by the same people as Love Dare. You would just need Day by Day. I think it will be wonderful! Oh, and I ordered us some fabric for our Hillbilly Festival or whatever it's called!
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