Dear Faith Family,

Tomorrow, the rather infamous year of 2020 draws to a close. For many, this will be a celebration, hoping, fully expecting even, 2021 to be better. How could it not be, right?!

Like everyone, my prayer, too, is for something more and different in the coming year. Yet, as well know, the calendar's turning is no guarantee that change is coming or for good. This is why, on this last day of 2020, I am praying with and for you this poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, which you'll find below. A poem about ringing out the old and ringing in the new. A new that is Christ in us, through us, and for us and neighbor.

May this prayed poem help us leave 2020 behind and enter 2021 expecting that we will be different as Christ is rung in. Love you, faith family! Happy New Year and God bless.

In Memoriam CVI | Alfred Lord Tennyson

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.