by Barbara Latta

As the ball drops in New York City and people around the world watch the clock hands move toward midnight on New Year’s Eve, choruses of a familiar song resound through the air.

Why do we sing Auld Lang Syne on New Year’s Eve?

Written by Robert Burns in the 1780’s this anthem grew into a Scottish tradition. The words are translated as “for old time’s sake.” We use this song to remember our friendships and relationships, memories, and experiences of the past year.

The entire song is lengthy and does contain some verses about taking up a pint or two, but we can use this to bring to mind the blessings of the people in our lives and the ways we can provide love and kindness to them.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne.

Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

May 2023 bring abundant favor, health, and prosperity to your lives. Thank you for being a part of my life by reading and contributing to Navigating Life’s Curves.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts.

Why do we sing Auld Lang Syne on New Year’s Eve? (click to tweet)

The History of O Holy Night and the Song's Effect on the Civil War

 

by Barbara Latta

Christmas Carols Part Three

O Holy Night was written in 1843 by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure, a French wine maker. He was commissioned by a priest of the Catholic Church to write a poem for Christmas Mass. Cappeau’s friend, Adolphe Charles Adam, composed the music and the combination of their talents produced the worshipful rendition we have used for years to celebrate the day Christ was born.

O Come Let Us Adore Him

 Celebrating Christmas Carols Part Two

by Barbara Latta

Another favorite Christmas song of mine is O Come All Ye Faithful. Listening to all these old hymns at Christmas brings back memories of my childhood when we sang them at church. I didn’t comprehend the meaning of the words at that time, but I enjoyed the feeling of exaltation they brought to my heart. I know the feelings were holiday emotion, but I knew Christmas was about Jesus.

The Inspired Lyrics of Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

 Celebrating Christmas Carols Part One

by Barbara Latta

I love Christmas carols! A lot of the newer songs are great and beautiful, but in my opinion the old hymns we sing year after year are the best. But because we sing them year after year, the meaning behind the words can get lost in the tune.

Read the lyrics to Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and absorb what these inspired words say to your soul. This song proclaims the entire gospel message, and we should sing this old song all year. The words were penned by Charles Wesley, a Methodist minister who preached in the 1700’s. He wrote this message as a poem and George Whitefield later put the poem to music.

Give the Gift of Reading

by Barbara Latta

Christmas is just around the corner and our thoughts turn to giving. If anyone on your list is a reader, I have some great suggestions for giving the gift of reading. These books will bless the recipients over and over because books never grow old.