Auld Lang Syne

Auld Lang Syne

What is it about New Years that makes us look backwards? Why are we always reminiscent? Why does it seem that every year we look to the past with longing, our days are filled with nostalgia?

What is it about the past that draws us, holds us, keeps us? Why are we afraid to move forward? Maybe we're not afraid, but we come to a place when we are paused in recollection. For a moment, time ceases, and we begin to revisit our past. All that we were, where we have been, our history comes before our eyes once again. And we remember... the past, the good old days, days gone by, auld lang syne.

What is it about Auld Lang Syne, or in our American language, Days Gone By (1)? What is it that draws us, holds us, keeps us? That we stop, and just for a moment, before the present pushes us on, with not a thought in the world but Auld Lang Syne?

And we remember...

The past... friendships, relationships, loves...
The past... foes, enemies, hates...
The past... accomplishments, victories, triumphs...
The past... frustrations, failures, defeats...
The past... gains, prosperities, comedies...
The past... losses, woes, tragedies...

And we remember...

Who we were. Or, possibly, who we are?

Perhaps it is our past that defines us. Perhaps it is our past that tells us who we are. Perhaps it is our history that shows us where we are going, by telling us where we came from.

Who can I be today, if I know not who I was yesterday? What will I ever become, if I forget what I once was?

This New Year, go ahead – pause for moment in time – and remember...

The past... who you were, where you've been, the people that have made you who you are today...

Remember all that God has done in your life, the divine leadership, the miracles wrought. Take a few moments as you float without time, to thank the Lord once again for all His many blessing in your past, many that you have seen, many that remain unknown.

But in your remembering, recall this supremely:

The God that brought you safe thus far
will lead you safely home.

We don't end here. This moment in time will soon melt, and we will be pummeling into 2010, with all the concerns, hopes, worries, fears, and joys. Our past doesn't end here, but leads us into the future. And the God that has brought us to this place will lead us victoriously through the years to come!

Pause... for just a moment... to remember... the past... and thank the Lord above... and then move on... to 2010... with new resolve to live triumphantly in the Lord Jesus Christ!

"He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24, NKJV)



Auld Lang Syne (Revised)
Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpvYoY4juLc

Should old remembrance be forgot,
Or what the Lord designed?
Should old remembrance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my friend,
For auld lang syne,
We'll thank the Lord once again,
For auld lang syne.

Many years ago, God's Son
Borne in a plan divine,
Came to earth to save the world
In auld lang syne.

There was a day some time ago,
in sin I did repine,
I repented, God called me His child
In auld lang syne.

I fought a battle in my heart
'till finally I resigned
And Christ became my Lord of All
In auld lang syne.

Through many trials we have come,
And o'er the grievous brine.
But God's been with us all the way
Through auld lang syne.

Great times have we enjoyed as friends
Since our journey we consigned.
But none so great as God's own Son
From auld lang syne.


1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Lang_Syne) Read more about the original song and the modern English translation. The song isn't a Christian song, so I wrote the version you find above, as Christian, with an attempt to capture the original. As a side note, I realized that Auld Lang Syne is interchangeable with Amazing Grace (music and/or lyrics). Try it if you want :) (http://www.constitution.org/col/amazing_grace.htm for the lyrics.)