Many years Kathy throws a party on New Years’ Eve, inviting as many people as she can reasonably expect will fit into our house. This year we had 47 people in the house (although fortunately not all at once) for games, fellowship, and lots of tasty treats.
In spite of Joshua’s hatred of ‘fake’ trees, we used our artificial Christmas tree this year.
Usually the men-folk squirrel themselves upstairs for strategy gaming, while the ladies occupy the family room for party games like Head of the Herd or Scum. The teens and young adults often stake out the living room for Mafia or Resistance, while the youngest kids make the best of it in the garage.
Sometimes we try to add some spiritual significance to the evening, by adding scheduled events on the half-hour, but this year only one special event made the cut. Our dear sometime-adoptive daughter Jenny brought words for an adaptation of Auld Lang Syne, which we sang around the piano just after midnight.
Should nothing of our efforts stand
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive.
To you who boast tomorrow’s gain
Tell me what is your life
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ!
[Chorus]
All glory be to Christ our King!
All glory be to Christ!
His rule and reign we’ll ever sing,
All glory be to Christ!
His will be done, His kingdom come
On earth as is above
Who is Himself our daily bread
Praise Him the Lord of love.
Let living water satisfy
The thirsty without price
We’ll take a coup of kindness yet
All glory be to Christ!
[Chorus]
When on the day the great I Am
The faithful and the true
The Lamb who was for sinners slain
Is making all things new.
Behold our God shall live with us
And be our steadfast light
And we shall ere His people be
All glory be to Christ!
[Chorus]
A spiritual version of Auld Lang Syne is a great way to ring in the new year!
I was too far away from the piano to read the words (47 people make a tightly-packed crowd in our home) but I got a chance to sing it with a smaller group the next day. I loved the chance to reflect on the joy and hope that our King gives us, as we face a new year!
Wow, this is the way New Year’s Eve was meant to be. I remember when our church was packed on NYE with all ages and stages playing games, watching a movie and just having a good time. Even the older adults stayed late, and we had a Watch Night service at 11pm. I have been bemoaning the way that no one has a party anymore or churches aren’t even open. People are too afraid of going out on the roads or too tired or have to put the kids to bed, etc. My circumstances don’t give me this opportunity, or I too, would pack my house for New Year’s Eve. Was this in Tacoma?
Yes, well, actually in Lakewood. I think we were right at the limit of the number of guests we could fit inside … any more, and we would have needed to move the party to church.
I’m always for inviting more people! We do run out of space pretty quickly. Literally every room of the house is cleaned and ready for partying! Ha.
New Years Eve was SO much fun!!! Love that song!!
Love the words!
Looks like a fun night. We tried to have an event at the chapel but no one wanted to come…..so we had fun at home.