Advent Unwrapped: For Auld Lang Syne

For Auld Lang Syne

The old old song that is often sung on New Years Eve, could also be fitting for Reign of Christ Sunday, (November 24th), the last day of the liturgical calendar! It’s a song about nostalgia, friendship, and looking back to move forward. I learnt the song long before I understood the words, but now as I pull out the Christmas boxes filled with memories of folks I won’t see again in this lifetime, and experiences I will never be able to recreate, the words I learnt watching endless Christmas specials hits differently. Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Impossible actually. It’s a rhetorical question. (isn’t it?) Perhaps that is why there is such comfort in this song, especially if you sing it with others in a circle. In singing and in actions, we offer each other “a cup of kindness” and “a hand of friendship” for auld lang syne! And I am grateful for it! For the love that we have experienced and the love that we have shared can all be glimpses of The Divine and the love of God, as revealed to us through Jesus the Christ, the King of Love, whom we celebrate on this Reign of Christ Sunday. For Auld Lang Syne My Friends! With the start of the new liturgical year comes the official start of our Advent newsletters. Sharing is caring! Consider sharing this newsletter with a friend; join our Facebook page. Throughout Advent we will be dropping, visual reflections, crafts and prayers to help you and your loved ones engage with the season. For Worship Planners and Leaders There are six new worship services available on Advent Unwrapped; a service for each Sunday in advent, a longest night service and a Christmas Eve service, all prepared by the Disability and Accessibility Network. In addition, here are some important dates to remember in December and January: December 1 – World AIDS Day December 2 – International Day for the Abolition of Slavery December 3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 5 – World Soil Day December 6 – National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women December 10 – Human Rights Day December 18 – International Migrants Day December 21 – Winter Solstice (4:21 p.m. EST) December 25 to January 2 – Hanukkah December 26 to January 1 – Kwanzaa December 26 to January 5 – Twelve Days of Christmas For Everyone Don’t forget about our collection of Advent Zines, including the new guided prayer zine. Print it out, keep it somewhere accessible, so that you can intentionally make space for prayer wherever you may find yourself this Advent season. Now is the time to print our 2024 Advent Calendar and to learn more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals.   Have questions about advent? Check out or share our Advent: The Basics. Have questions, looking for something, want more… come chat with us on The Advent Unwrapped Facebook group, or send us an email! Next week join us as we begin our prayer cycle with United Church partners around the world. Until then, Happy New Year (when it comes)! Alydia Twitter Facebook Website Email Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Your generosity enables the United Church to love, serve, and minister in the world. Make an online donation or learn more about your options to support the work of the church.

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