| New Year’s Ritual – by Rev. Karyl Huntley |
Materials needed:
Set up for ritual: Everyone gathers around the punch bowl with their calendars and writing material. Begin with the leader of the ritual saying: “We are gathered here to celebrate as our family and ancestors have done for at least 4,000 years. Tonight, we mark the passage of a year and the beginning of a new one. As we celebrate tonight, we remind ourselves of the preciousness of our blessings in the past, the importance of the present moment in creating our lives, and the certainty of each new day as a pristine gift until that day that we become ancestors of the generations to come. “A song that has come to signify our celebration tonight is Auld Lang Syne. Let us sing it together now. (Everyone sings.) This is an old Scottish song that was written, at least in part, by Robert Burns in the 1700s. Auld Lang Syne translates into ‘old long ago’ or, as we would say today, ‘the good old days.’ In the song, the writer asks us whether old times and friends will be forgotten and then invites us to ‘take a cup of kindness yet’ in honor of those old friends and fond memories. So, I now invite all of you to take a cup of kindness by dipping into the punch bowl. One by one we will share a sweet memory of this past year or longer ago, something that is still alive and present in us as a blessing, and then we will all drink from our ‘cup of kindness’ to honor old friends and important memories.” Everyone dips into the bowl and shares a memory, one at a time. This part can be done as a focused ritual or, more casually, over a meal. The leader continues by saying, “Since the time of the Babylonians 4000 years ago, people have made New Year’s resolutions at the turn of the year. Perhaps we have all made resolutions, wishing that we would keep them, only to abandon them in a few days. This is like our ancestors, as well. The most common New Year’s resolution for the Babylonians was to return borrowed farm equipment. Since it was the most common resolution, we can imagine that they, too, had a hard time living up to their New Year’s promises. You are here with your calendars tonight to designate and record some time in them, in which you will actually do what you have resolved to do. You are also invited to declare your promises in the presence of family and friends who love you and wish for your fulfillment in the areas you wish fulfillment for yourself. As we go within to listen to Spirit, you may want to get some writing instrument and paper out to record the inspiration that comes to you.” (Everyone gets writing material out and prepares for a meditation.) “In order to follow the promptings of Spirit, I invite you to close your eyes and go within. There are grand ideas that Spirit has to offer to you for yourself, for your family, and for the world. So, now in the silence, open to the inspiration, the urging, the movement of Spirit within as you hear this question, ‘What would Spirit have me do for myself this year?’’’ The leader pauses for a moment of silence as the participants open to their divine inspiration and then record their notes to themselves. The same procedure continues for the next two questions.
After the group has finished their visioning and note taking, the leader continues, “Please look over the notes you have made in answer to the questions offered to the Spirit within you. Allow yourself to come to a decision or choice about what you can offer a wholehearted ‘Yes!’ to and then record what you resolve to do and when you will do it or begin it in your calendars.” (Everyone does this.) “I now invite you to speak your resolutions in this loving group so we can all support you in completing your intentions.” (Everyone does this.) “Now, to deepen our resolve to accomplish what Spirit has put before us, please repeat after me.” The leader prompts the group to repeat this vow by offering the group a few words at a time. “In committing to these resolutions, I know that the desires to accomplish these actions are planted in me by Spirit. I know that within Spirit are all the means for accomplishing anything. I know of no barriers to accomplishing these things to which I have committed my heart and my hands, since I have chosen to say ‘Yes!’ to Spirit. I know Spirit supports, directs, and sustains me through everything I do, and so, I am resolved to do what I have promised to do with the assistance of the innermost God of my being and the transcendent God of all time and space. So be it now for the good of all and the harm of none.” Everyone takes a moment to congratulate and encourage one another. Then the leader continues. “Beloveds, from the same tradition that brought the song for this holiday, Auld Lang Syne, comes another New Year’s tradition called ‘first-footing.’ The tradition states that the first person you see in the New Year signifies your good or not-so-good fortune for the coming year. The custom of ‘first-footing’ involved friends going to other friends’ homes in the first hours of a New Year and giving them wishes for success and happiness, thereby ensuring a good year for them. Tonight we will do our own version of ‘first-footing’ by going up to our friends and family in this gathering and speaking our wishes for them.” (Everyone does this.) “We now conclude our New Year’s celebration by singing Auld Lang Syne once again and vowing to ourselves to make more memories this coming year which will join our other precious never-to-be-forgotten blessings that we keep safe in our hearts.” Everyone sings the wonderful old song and concludes the celebration with full hearts. If you enjoy using this ritual as part of your holiday celebration, you will love Rev. Karyl’s new book, “Real Life Rituals,” published by Spiritual Living Press. Using the book as a guide for celebrating seasonal changes, holidays, and life transitions will enrich and deepen your everyday experiences of life. The book can be ordered directly from DeVorss (http://devorss.com/display.cgi?tpl=item&record=1323). |