As Christmas fades into the New Year, we look ahead to the year to come, and we look back on the year behind us. We look back on memories made, friends gained, and loved ones we’ve lost.
Each New Year’s Eve, as the ball drops we hear that old song “should old acquaintance be forgot…” Auld Lang Syne means something like “times gone by.” The chorus is perfect, hum it in your head –“For times gone by my dear for times gone by, we’ll take a cup of kindness yet for times gone by…”
It’s important, to look back and remember. Jesus said “Remember me – when you eat this bread and drink this cup, remember me.” We look back each week, as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper. We take the cup of kindness and we remember the great kindness our Lord has for us, that we might not only look back, but look ahead to a future paved and provided by the good news grace of God. This gift allows that we may be unbound by our life of old and look ahead, free and able to extend that kindness to those around us.
So we take the cup of kindness, freely given, and we give it away just the same. Happy New Year.