Happy New Year’s Eve!
In the words of the Von Trapp Family’s “Sound of Music” and their farewell song, “So long, farewell, auch wiedersehen, goodbye” to 2023, At midnight tonight, we’ll give a hearty welcome to 2024. Good-bye past and hello to the new that is in store for us. We are ready for the count-down!
Strike up the band because I plan on singing new songs of great expectations for 2024, accompanied by gratitude, hope and a good dose of transformation in 2024. I like that good round number of 2024.
Something new is on its way. Psalm 96:1 says: “Sing to the Lord a NEW song.” That new song is made possible by the incarnation of Jesus. A new song from the One Who became God in the flesh and Who makes all things new. A new song that revels in the Father’s love for us. A new song that makes our hearts leap with joy at the promise of a new day!
On New Year’s Eve, an old Irish tradition is to open your door at midnight to let the old year out and the new year in. Perhaps you are thinking 2023 deserves doors, windows, and garage doors to be open to leaving the past behind. Out with the OLD and in with the NEW!
I had some “hiccups” in 2023 but I can’t complain about them because I had some really sweet surprises along the way. I met, fell in love and married the most wonderful, kind, and caring man who made my 2023 an incredible blessing.
And, I pray for you, my friends and family, that you have many prayers answered, many God-moments and His sweet surprises of His love and grace. Let’s start the brand new year with great expectations of what God wants to do in and through us in 2024.
A new year is almost here – but who’s counting? We can start singing a new song and CLOSE the door to the old “Everything’s gone wrong” songs and the “Woe is me” songs. Our LOVE for God and His LOVE for us puts a new song of joy, hope, and peace in our hearts. It’s an “Everything’s gonna be alright” song!
Imagine God giving us a gift at midnight tonight and when we unpackage the gift, we hear Him say: “What you do today – how you love, how you express gratitude, hope and joy in the middle of your circumstances, will set the tone for 2024.
Won’t you join me in singing a new song? Let’s join the angels in singing “Glory to God in the highest,” because we see signs of His glory everywhere! (Luke 2:14). Let’s imitate Mary as we sing and magnify the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior. (Luke 1:46) Let’s sing for the joy of knowing we have been redeemed by a loving God.
And if you don’t like to sing, then at least THINK it, SPEAK it and get up close and personal with God and His Word. Then you’ll hear Him singing over you!
“The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with SINGING!” (Zephaniah 3:17)