There are many ways to celebrate New Year's Eve: parties, fireworks displays or watching the ball drop on TV. You will never guess how I decided to mark the occasion.
During the service, a hush fell over the congregation as we moved forward with our slips of paper. One by one, we placed them in an urn and watched as they were lit and burned. I was consumed with emotion seeing my paper turning to ash and symbolizing a release and a new beginning.
Amongst the hymns sung were two of my favourites: "Amazing Grace" and "On Eagles Wings." When the clock struck midnight, we were encouraged to shout "Happy New Year" and greet one another. The jubilation concluded with a rousing rendition of "Joy to the World".
Attending the Owlah Watch Night Service was a reminder of the power of community, introspection, release and renewal.
What's the most memorable or unusual way you have celebrated New Year's?
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I rarely celebrate NYE so when I do it's memorable. The one I will always cherish is the first one with my husband. We had only been dating a few months and that first NYE he took me to dinner and a concert. It was a small venue, decorated beautifully. After dinner and before the concert started, he brought the singer over to meet me. I still have the autographed ticket signed by Josh White, Jr. and I still listen to his music.
@superbjversion2 Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and heartfelt memory. It’s moments like these that truly highlight the magic of New Year's Eve when spent with loved ones. The care and thoughtfulness your husband put into that evening, from the intimate dinner to the special concert with Josh White, Jr., is truly touching. Cherishing those memories and the memento of the autographed ticket is a wonderful way to keep those precious moments alive.
Wishing you continued warmth and comfort as you hold onto these special memories.
"On Eagle's Wings" is a beautiful and comforting piece that conveys a message of protection and care.
@Bigwilly3392c The first time I heard “On Eagle’s Wings” was in a synagogue at the Levaya for my friend’s father.
@Bigwilly3392c My tears flow as soon as I hear the opening chords of “Amazing Grace”. Thank you for sharing that version.
That sounds beautiful. I suspect I would have gotten more than a little emotional in that setting. It's funny, I'm not a believer at this point, but being in a church and singing hymns does set something off in me. Maybe because I attended church all through my childhood.
@smartasswoman I too find it emotional whenever I step into a church. Understand how there is something deeply moving about the hymns and the atmosphere, even if one isn't a believer.
Wishing you a Happy New Year!
I love it
This sounds wonderful. Never really have anything that stands out.
@1salesman3 Sometimes, the beauty of New Year's Eve is in its simplicity and the peaceful transition into a new year. Wishing you memorable moments ahead!
Sounds like an interesting and satisfying New Year's Eve event. I can see how the burning of the offerings be they prayers, confessions of what to put behind you or whatever else makes for a good symbolic end of the old year and start for then one. Symbols can be so important in our lives as are rites even when we may not think of them as such.
I honestly cannot think of any memorable way I have celebrated New Years. I have not made any New Year resolutions in decades.
I hope 2025 will be a better year than the past one and any request you made for yourself come true with no unintended consequences.
Sending big hugs.
@justskin1 Our lives are enriched by rites and symbols, even if we don't always recognize their significance.
I appreciate your honesty about not having memorable New Year's celebrations or making resolutions. Sometimes, simplicity can hold its own kind of beauty.
I share your hope that 2025 will bring positive changes and fulfillment of your wishes without any unintended consequences.
This sounds lovely. We share favorite hymns (honestly, music is much more moving to me in church than most anything else). Good food and fellowship sounds like a fantastic bonus. We have spent nearly all of the NYE's of the past quarter century with long time friends hosted by hubs college roommate through the years of us all having babies and small children through the tween and teen years and now with the party mostly just being us old fogies.
@CL_Love Your New Year's Eve traditions sound wonderfully heartwarming! It's beautiful to see how your celebrations have evolved alongside your lives. May you continue to enjoy good food, friendship, and many more memorable New Year's Eves with your dear friends!
I have had many memorable New Year Eve's but the one that I remember as the best was spent in India with a Dutch woman, we planned to go out to a little party, a band could be heard rehearsing Dire Straights songs for hours, we made love several times and were so tired that we never got out having spent all evening in a dream like state.
@easyrider4008 Wow, that sounds like an unforgettable New Year's Eve! It's amazing how different places and moments can create the most memorable experiences.
Wishing you many more magical New Year's Eves in the future!
My most memorable ways of 'celebrating' New Year's Eve are going to bed before midnight. I'm far more of a Xmas Day than a New Year's Eve man.
@spunkycumfun Hmmm that sounds kind of sad 🙁. I remember as a kid, it was a big deal to be allowed to stay up just long enough to watch the countdown, raise a glass of juice, say Happy New Year and then scramble off to bed.
I'd never heard of the Owlah Watch. It certainly sounds like an interesting — and symbolic — way to greet the New Year. Cheers to 2025. 🥂🤗
Both "unusual" and "memorable" would have to have been when I took a train to Quebec City to join friends at the Château Frontenac for a ballroom extravaganza. The hotel messed up my reservation, but friends invited me to join them in their Royal Suite. It turned out to be quite the wild evening. 😲👍
@Paulxx001 No doubt there is more to that story. Perhaps a future blog post?
@sexyldy1000
Perhaps...
I imagine it should take me less than twelve months to scribble. 😂
That's lovely!
Most unusual... mine have most always been pretty usual.
Dancing to live music in clubs have always been memorable.
@russellfireside Thank you!
Sometimes, the usual can be just as special, especially when it involves dancing to live music. Those moments can create wonderful memories. 😊
Hi: we had a private paper burning ceremony. Through the burning papers up into the sky at midnight. Would love to chat with you
@michetrek That's a powerful and symbolic way to leave the past year behind and make space for new beginnings. May you embrace the future with a clear mind! 😊
I have never heard of an Owlah Watch service. That sounds wonderful. I love the burning release. I need to try that.
I have rarely celebrated New Years. For decades Cowboy and I both worked New Years eve. Later I would drink sparkling grape juice with the children.
@PonyGirl1965 I am glad you found the Owlah Watch service intriguing! The burning release is indeed a meaningful way to let go of the past and embrace the new year.
It's understandable that work commitments can shape how we celebrate. Drinking sparkling grape juice with your children sounds like a lovely and cherished tradition.
Here's to creating new memories and finding special moments in whatever way you choose to celebrate. Wishing you a wonderful New Year!
My New Year starts with the midnight countdown fireworks, then going home to get a few hours sleep until I get up to go see the first sunrise.
Burning something you want to leave behind sounds intriguing.
@JN63JPN Experiencing the midnight countdown fireworks followed by the tranquility of the first sunrise must be truly special.
It had been a long time since I had marked the occasion, and this year I was determined to do something meaningful.
Burning something you want to leave behind can be a powerful and symbolic gesture. It's a great way to start the new year with a clean slate.
Wishing you many more memorable New Year's celebrations!
What a great way to celebrate the coming of the new year. I have never heard of this before and would be interested in trying this.
We don't really celebrate it anymore at least not like we used too. I hope you have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year..
@Tmptrzz I'm glad you found the idea intriguing! It's always exciting to try something new. It's understandable that celebrations can change over time.
Wishing you a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year as well!