New Year's Day And The Eighth Day Of Christmas 2021

Happy New Year

2022!

In much of Western Christianity this day is also celebrated either as the Solemnity of Mary or the Festival of the Circumcision and Name of Jesus. The Word for the day is simply one verse, Luke 2:21:

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Here are two music selections to enjoy. The first is Johann Sebastian Bach's cantata for New Year's Day, Jesu, nun sei gepreiset, [Jesus, now be praised.], BWV 41. Those who would enjoy an English translation will find one here.

The second selections is a Welsh carol for New Year's Day set to the music of the British composer, Benjamin Britten. The custom of Levy-Dew derives from an ancient tradition of drawing water from a well and sprinkling it on townspeople as a means of cleansing or preparing them to face the new year.

Llanllawer Holy Well, and stream Pembrokeshire Photograph: Richard Law

Here we bring new water from the well so clear

To worship God, with this happy New Year

Sing levy dew, sing levy dew, the water and the wine;

the seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine.

Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her toe,

Open you the West Door, and turn the Old Year go.

Sing levy dew, sing levy dew, etc.

Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her chin,

Open you the East Door, and let the New Year in.

Sing levy dew, sing levy dew, etc.

The postcard was sent to Charles, my great uncle, in 1907. The message on the back reads, "May the new year prove a bright, happy and prosperous one to you is the wish of your Brooklyn friend." Her name was Nellie. I know nothing about their friendship and although they are now both lost to history she certainly left us with a timeless a message for the new year.