It was an old custom in our area of north Pembrokeshire to greet friends around the local area in song on New Year’s Day. We would get up in the morning to walk about four miles around all the homes in the area to sing and in return receive money and sweets.
The most popular song went:
“Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi, ac i bawb sydd yn y tŷ…”
(Happy new year to you and to everyone in your household/
That is our earnest wish, a Happy New Year for you and yours! Happy New Year!)
I remember feeling a bit dumbfounded at one of the village children for going around on a bike instead of walking, and consequently reaching quite a few more houses, because only bad luck came from singing after midday! Having reached our late teens we went around on New Year’s Eve to greet those who had been married during the year and wish them well at the beginning of married life. The old traditions have now disappeared almost completely from those areas, although the Old New Year is still celebrated in the Gwaun Valley area!
But, what about today’s New Year’s Day songs? What is my wish for you at the beginning of this New Year? I have chosen three songs for you:
1. A song about the assurance of faith. (Isaiah 43:1-4)
“But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.”
No mortal person knows what we will encounter in 2025, but the Lord already knows. We will be called upon to take risks in faith in the new year, to step confidently throughout the year and perhaps to open new furrows. When we pass through the waters or walk through the fire we can be sure that the Lord is with us. He promises to keep us because we are precious in his sight and he loves us and has given his Son a bride for us. It’s the confident song of faith and the chorus proclaims, “I am Yours.”
2. A song about an example of service. (Philippians 2:6-11)
“Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
If there’s one word worthy of attention this year, it’s “service” and the best uniform to wear while in service is “humility.” 2025 will call for the service of strong overalls, Wellingtons, apron, towel and more in service of each other, and others outside the family of faith, in Jesus’ name. That is the greatest example ever of humility, Jesus temporarily abandoning the glory of heaven to bend down before his friends and wash their feet. May the distinguishing marks of service be on every one of our deeds throughout this coming year. May Christ’s perfume fill every house as we enter them. May the voice of Jesus be heard in our kind words.
3. A song of praise.
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
According to the old New Year’s Day tradition in Wales, the singing had to end by noon, but not so with songs of praise for the Lamb. There will never be an end to the sound of his worship! Personally, I love singing hymns, old and new! I love connecting themes and lines in hymns with verses from the Bible and trying to guess the hymnists’ areas of meditation while singing their hymns of praise. May our bible reflections turn into songs of praise and worship to the Lord Jesus throughout the year. This is what I wish for you in the new year – assurance of faith, a clear goal of service and the joy of praise.
Happy New Year to you all!
Geraint Morse, BUW President 2024-25