In Memoriam (Ring out, wild bells)

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, 

   The flying cloud, the frosty light: 

   The year is dying in the night; 

Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new, 

   Ring, happy bells, across the snow: 

   The year is going, let him go; 

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind 

   For those that here we see no more; 

   Ring out the feud of rich and poor, 

Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause, 

   And ancient forms of party strife; 

   Ring in the nobler modes of life, 

With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin, 

   The faithless coldness of the times; 

   Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes 

But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood, 

   The civic slander and the spite; 

   Ring in the love of truth and right, 

Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease; 

   Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; 

   Ring out the thousand wars of old, 

Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free, 

   The larger heart, the kindlier hand; 

   Ring out the darkness of the land, 

Ring in the Christ that is to be.


-- Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) British Romantic Poet and Poet Laureate

Blue Christmas prayer

 
Around us, O God, the singing can be heard: ‘Joy to the world…let heaven and nature sing.’ This season is to be one of hope eases our minds, when peace soothes our hearts, when love warms our souls, and when joy comes each morning.

But there are many who do not feel this joy. Some might try, others have given up trying. ‘Where is this joy for us?’ they ask. The world has found joy but some feel as if it has passed them by. Our minds are not at ease…we feel too much doubt. Our hearts are not at peace…there is too much to do. Our souls are not warmed…the chill of death is too troubling. Where, O God, can joy be found? We ask this as we come before you in prayer, opening ourselves to the possibility that hope, peace, joy, and love might still come to us.

We pray for the lonely, that they might find comfort in another’s touch.

We pray for the downtrodden, that they might find relief from their burdens.

We pray for those wrestling with depression, that a light of calm might bring them peace.

We pray for those dealing with stress, that they might find the courage to let go. 

We pray for the grief-stricken, that they might experience the newness of life that you bring.

May joy come to the world, O God, and may we grasp some of that. We do not pray for joy that is temporary or fleeting, but a joy that runs deep and sustains us even in moments of despair. We seek this joy in a season that can be less than joyful. O God, hear our prayer.

We wait for Emanuel, God With Us, to come into our hearts once again. May we experience your love in new ways as we in turn love each other. We pray this in the name of the One who is to come. Amen.

-- Jeffrey A. Nelson, aka coffeepastor, blogger and UCC pastor, posted on Philosophy Over Coffee. http://philosophyovercoffee.blogspot.ca/2005/12/blue-christmas-prayer.html