It is a salutary thought that I have just gone through my 75th new year celebration - although, admittedly, I don't recall anything about the earliest ones! However, the move from 2019 into 2020 must be the most unusual one of them all. I even ended up preaching - at 0550 on Jan 1st!
How did this come about? Well a number of weeks ago we were invited to the party to celebrate the birthday of a friend's daughter. Nothing unusual there! However, this particular friend is originally from Madagascar, and most of the folk invited to the party were also Malagasy. One of our other Malagasy friends casually asked if we were going to be around at the New Year and, on receiving an answer in the affirmative, invited us to a special event in Poitiers - about 270 km (170 mls) north of our home village - at a Malagasy Christian Fellowship. It seemed a long way to go for a party - but we thought that perhaps this lady and her university student daughter might actually need a lift so, we agreed to go. Anyway, we were curious as to how these lovely people celebrated at that time of the year!
As it turned out, they already had transport arranged, so we made our own way up to the venue. We had not been offered any advice with regard to the dress-code, so we had gone in what we felt was appropriately casual attire and, when we arrived, everyone else was dressed in a similar fashion. Before too long, sandwiches (French sandwiches! i.e. baguettes spilt and filled) and hot/cold drinks were being offered, and we enjoyed these. However, shortly afterwards, we noticed that people kept disappearing - and returning, dressed for a special occasion! We suddenly felt extremely "under-dressed"! This, apparently is what Malagasy folk do at this time of the year!
The worship service commenced shortly after 2100 (that's 9.00 p.m. for those who prefer the '12-hour clock'!), was as full of joy as one would expect from Malagasy disciples of Jesus who have a Pentecostal approach to worship, and included a stirring message form the pastor. We didn't understand a word he said, but an English language speaker provided us with the gist of the message. Almost three hours later, we counted down to midnight, and welcomed a new year.
It was then that the 'party' commenced. There was more 'congregational praise'; the young people, and the children, put on special displays of song and dance; one family had produced a short sketch; there seemed to be no end to the talent! It was also when we started the 'buffet'-style meal! The first course was an amazing variety of items, together with an abundance of soft drinks. However, we didn't just sit down to eat! The other activities continued with, among others, what I can only describe as a Christian version of the "conga" - perhaps understandable, as the original comes from Africa. At about 0400 (yes, that is, indeed, 4.00 a.m.!) the main course was served. However, there was no let-up to the activities. Then, about 0545, the dessert was laid out. I had gone out to obtain some of the delicious items available, but realised that I had left my empty tumbler inside the main hall. As I entered the hall to retrieve it, the pastor called out my name. Having confirmed that he wanted me to go to the front to stand with him, I made my way down. That was when he informed me that he believed that the Lord had given me a Word for the gathered fellowship - and it was to be in French!
Now, I am becoming more comfortable preaching in French from a prepared text - but in a situation in which I was unprepared, and which was totally unexpected ... ...!! However, God is good, and I was able to speak for about ten minutes on God's control of all that happens, and our need to trust in Him for the year ahead.
The 'party' began to close down about 0700, and there was a room for the females and children, and the hall that we had been using, for the males. However, although we had been advised to bring sleeping-bags, etc., we decide that at that time of the day, we would just drive home. We arrived, safely, at about 1000 - and, having almost fallen into bed, slept until about 1600! If we are spared until this time next year, we would love to return (and have been invited!) - but we shall probably take our little caravan in order to sleep a little more comfortably, and maybe even at a slightly more respectable hour!
An experience, indeed! However, we made some lovely new friends, and now have a Christian family in Poitiers.
May I simply commend that brief message that I brought, to one and all. The God Whom I worship is the Sovereign God of the universe. He truly is "in control" - however much what we see around us may appear to deny that statement. The old song had the chorus: "I know Who holds the future, and He'll guide me with His hand." That has been my personal experience for, now, more than 60 years. Will you join with me in experiencing His guidance in 2020? You will never regret it if you do!
An experience, indeed! However, we made some lovely new friends, and now have a Christian family in Poitiers.
May I simply commend that brief message that I brought, to one and all. The God Whom I worship is the Sovereign God of the universe. He truly is "in control" - however much what we see around us may appear to deny that statement. The old song had the chorus: "I know Who holds the future, and He'll guide me with His hand." That has been my personal experience for, now, more than 60 years. Will you join with me in experiencing His guidance in 2020? You will never regret it if you do!