Ring Out the Old, Ring in the New

Greetings,

      While some of you are certainly familiar with this famous Tennyson poem, especially if you have been reading my e-mails in past years, I still expect it will be new to many of you.  Though written well over a hundred years ago, it still, if you will pardon the expression, rings true and is a great favorite for the New Year because of its message which speaks to each new age.  This year we once again hear so much talk about Change, about how this or that politician and/or political party is going to turn things around and really make a difference.  So many people have placed their hope in our President and other electet officials only to have their hopes dashed.  As we celebrate New Year’s Eve perhaps this old song may also serve to provide some perspective about Change and Hope.

Ring Out Wild Bells

                  Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,

                        The flying cloud, the frosty light:

                        The year is dying in the night;

                  Ring our, wild bells, and let him die.

                  Ring out the old, ring in the new,

                        Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

                        The year is going, let him go;

                  Ring out the false, ring in the true.

                  Ring out the grief that saps the mind,

                        For those that here we see no more;

                        Ring out the feud of rich and poor,

                  Ring in redress to all mankind.

                  Ring out a slowly dying cause,

                        And ancient forms of party strife;

                        Ring in the nobler modes of life,

                  With sweeter manners, purer laws.

                  Ring out the want, the care, the sin,

                        The faithless coldness of the times;

                        Ring our, ring out my mournful rhymes,

                  But ring the fuller minstrel in.

                  Ring out false pride in place and blood,

                        The civic slander and the spite;

                        Ring in the love of truth and right,

                  Ring in the common love of good.

                  Ring out old shapes of foul disease,

                        Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;

                        Ring out the thousand wars or old,

                  Ring in the thousand years of peace.

                  Ring in the valiant man and free,

                        The larger heart, the kindlier hand;

                        Ring out the darkness of the land,

                  Ring in the Christ that is to be.

      The poem speaks volumes of theology, philosophy and common sense.  It is well worth re-reading every year and through the year.

      So break out the raw oysters, angels on horseback, sauerkraut, raw beef, and the extraneous delectables and libations, and celebrate the hope and promise that God will make all things new.

      May each of you, and all of those you love, have a truly blessed New Year.

Yours & His,

DED