The First Footing Celebration
December 27th 2006 12:19
Well it’s coming closer to the end of another wonderful year here in Australia. There is how ever many a day where some of us have wondered where God’s blessings have gone to.
We have had droughts throughout various parts of Australia and storms in other areas. And it seems if the places where the droughts and storms have been, perhaps it would have been better if God had switched the order around. But I am not complaining against God’s divine providence in any of our lives. I for one am very grateful for my life as it is today - Because fourteen years ago, I was a hopeless and helpless drunk, only know one really saw it in me: that’s funny, because I never saw it in myself either. I had given up on hope and everything else. I literally died, and while in death, God came and brought me out of death and judged me and found me guilty of all sins under heaven. I guess you would say, I deserved to have remained in death. I knew I never deserved a second chance, after so many failures. But God had other plans for me. More than you and I could have imagined: Today though thanks be to God, I have a new life, which I work at day by day with a lot of enthusiasm.
Each year at this time most of the world celebrates the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus, who is a triune part of the Godhead, for all of humanity, who took on the mantle and nature and flesh of mankind, born of the Virgin Mary, by the explicit work of the Holy Ghost in her. And if you have read the Apostles Creed, you will see what I mean.
The Apostles Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy *catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
* means: the Body of the Protestant Reformed Christian Church, which Jesus formed and fulfilled in The Word and Laws of God, when he came into the World, which is separate from the Roman Catholic Church Papal System.
At this time of year most of the world celebrates Christ Jesus’ birth into the world; Via a pagan ritualistic celebration called Christmas with Santa Clause. But why do most of you in the world celebrate this most Christian event anyway? Especially when it is in no way connected to the pagan rituals of Santa Clause? Anyway, there is another such pagan ritual in Scotland and throughout the Shetland Islands of Scotland, called The First Footing. Now how many of you would know what this is all about? Smile…I knew it would not be many of you.
There is another old tradition which happens at the end of the year which most of us may recognize as Auld Lang Syne and it is in this deeply emotional mood, at the end of the year, we forgive all grudges and debts we have toward any one. We gather together in our homes, in our town halls, or on the farm or aboard ship, or aboard the airoplane, or the train, or the bus coach, and we let bygones be bygones; we also drink a wee dram or two as a salute to this pledge of forgiveness, and we give the person next to us (preferably our real wife and husband, mother or father, or brother or sister, or relative, or close friend, and if possible to the stranger who has come in out of the cold), that hug and kiss which says thanks and I forgive you every thing, if ever I held a grudge against you.
But now we have this quite fascinating one called “The First Footing” which is traditionally a Scottish heritage. As to its real ancestry, no one is quite sure anymore. But in Scotland iand the Shetland Islands, it is still practiced with great effect. How ever it is a part of the end of year Hogmanay celebrations of the Scots. It requires only five things for it to be truly implemented; 1. That you be, tall dark and handsome 2. That you bring with you a glass of malt whisky 3. That you bring with you a small block of coal 4. That you bring a loaf of bread and 5. That yours be the first foot to step over the threshold of the home you visit a second after the clock strikes midnight on new years eve; which celebrations,a nd thanks givings, can last till dawn the next morning. This is considered a formal greeting and well wishing of prosperity to the household you are visiting to help appease the gods for the coming year, for that household.
How ever the Christians amongst the Scots and the Shetlands have been using this pagan ritual for better purposes, in that, instead of allowing the youth in their areas to go on wild drinking sprees and end up in all manner of troubles, and even death. They have brought these restless youth together in their areas at midnight to go home visiting to the other and more elderly Christians in their areas and the home bound and those with ill health, and be the first foot across their threshold, with their gifts of thanks giving, and stay for as long as is kindly to do so, before moving onto the next home, and these festive non alcoholic parties go on all night, and end up in some ones home or at the Church for a wonderful breakfast before retiring for the night, mostly happy and very tired.
What a great blessing this is to one and all. It is about time we here in Australia became more interested in the welfare of those Christians around us, and of the need to copy this kind of Christian example here in Australia, because if it were not for God’s Christian Ministers and families, especially those of the Protestant Reformed Faith, who helped pioneer Australia and eventually settle Australia in a more sound and moral Christian life style, here, we would not have the Laws, rights and privileges we do have today.
So he next time you speak to anyone you know or a stranger, ask them if they are a Christian and if the are, offer your hand and say "THANK YOU - for the work they continue on in our lives behind the scenes, for us, as their ancestors did in the past."
I will, how about you. Please join hands with ME, AND WITH some one nearest to you and sing along with me, this great end of year song – Auld Lang Syne.
Auld Lang Syne Lyrics:-
Should auld acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot And days of auld lang syne?
Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
We twa hae run about the braes And pu'd the gowans fine But we've wander'd mony a weary foot Sin' auld lang syne.
Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl't in the burn Frae morning sun till dine But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin' auld lang syne.
Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
And surely ye'll be your pint stoup And surely I'll be mine And we'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne.
Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
A closing prayer at this time of year according to the Word of God, is from Psalm 45:
1: My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2: Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3: Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4: And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5: Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
6: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7: Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8: All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
9: Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
10: Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
11: So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
12: And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
13: The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
14: She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
15: With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
16: Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
17: I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
Bye for now, and may God bless you and turn your heart to him in all things from now on. I will also pray to God for you too.
Sincerely, The Old Man, for 2006, and 2007.
We have had droughts throughout various parts of Australia and storms in other areas. And it seems if the places where the droughts and storms have been, perhaps it would have been better if God had switched the order around. But I am not complaining against God’s divine providence in any of our lives. I for one am very grateful for my life as it is today - Because fourteen years ago, I was a hopeless and helpless drunk, only know one really saw it in me: that’s funny, because I never saw it in myself either. I had given up on hope and everything else. I literally died, and while in death, God came and brought me out of death and judged me and found me guilty of all sins under heaven. I guess you would say, I deserved to have remained in death. I knew I never deserved a second chance, after so many failures. But God had other plans for me. More than you and I could have imagined: Today though thanks be to God, I have a new life, which I work at day by day with a lot of enthusiasm.
Each year at this time most of the world celebrates the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus, who is a triune part of the Godhead, for all of humanity, who took on the mantle and nature and flesh of mankind, born of the Virgin Mary, by the explicit work of the Holy Ghost in her. And if you have read the Apostles Creed, you will see what I mean.
The Apostles Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
* means: the Body of the Protestant Reformed Christian Church, which Jesus formed and fulfilled in The Word and Laws of God, when he came into the World, which is separate from the Roman Catholic Church Papal System.
At this time of year most of the world celebrates Christ Jesus’ birth into the world; Via a pagan ritualistic celebration called Christmas with Santa Clause. But why do most of you in the world celebrate this most Christian event anyway? Especially when it is in no way connected to the pagan rituals of Santa Clause? Anyway, there is another such pagan ritual in Scotland and throughout the Shetland Islands of Scotland, called The First Footing. Now how many of you would know what this is all about? Smile…I knew it would not be many of you.
There is another old tradition which happens at the end of the year which most of us may recognize as Auld Lang Syne and it is in this deeply emotional mood, at the end of the year, we forgive all grudges and debts we have toward any one. We gather together in our homes, in our town halls, or on the farm or aboard ship, or aboard the airoplane, or the train, or the bus coach, and we let bygones be bygones; we also drink a wee dram or two as a salute to this pledge of forgiveness, and we give the person next to us (preferably our real wife and husband, mother or father, or brother or sister, or relative, or close friend, and if possible to the stranger who has come in out of the cold), that hug and kiss which says thanks and I forgive you every thing, if ever I held a grudge against you.
But now we have this quite fascinating one called “The First Footing” which is traditionally a Scottish heritage. As to its real ancestry, no one is quite sure anymore. But in Scotland iand the Shetland Islands, it is still practiced with great effect. How ever it is a part of the end of year Hogmanay celebrations of the Scots. It requires only five things for it to be truly implemented; 1. That you be, tall dark and handsome 2. That you bring with you a glass of malt whisky 3. That you bring with you a small block of coal 4. That you bring a loaf of bread and 5. That yours be the first foot to step over the threshold of the home you visit a second after the clock strikes midnight on new years eve; which celebrations,a nd thanks givings, can last till dawn the next morning. This is considered a formal greeting and well wishing of prosperity to the household you are visiting to help appease the gods for the coming year, for that household.
How ever the Christians amongst the Scots and the Shetlands have been using this pagan ritual for better purposes, in that, instead of allowing the youth in their areas to go on wild drinking sprees and end up in all manner of troubles, and even death. They have brought these restless youth together in their areas at midnight to go home visiting to the other and more elderly Christians in their areas and the home bound and those with ill health, and be the first foot across their threshold, with their gifts of thanks giving, and stay for as long as is kindly to do so, before moving onto the next home, and these festive non alcoholic parties go on all night, and end up in some ones home or at the Church for a wonderful breakfast before retiring for the night, mostly happy and very tired.
What a great blessing this is to one and all. It is about time we here in Australia became more interested in the welfare of those Christians around us, and of the need to copy this kind of Christian example here in Australia, because if it were not for God’s Christian Ministers and families, especially those of the Protestant Reformed Faith, who helped pioneer Australia and eventually settle Australia in a more sound and moral Christian life style, here, we would not have the Laws, rights and privileges we do have today.
So he next time you speak to anyone you know or a stranger, ask them if they are a Christian and if the are, offer your hand and say "THANK YOU - for the work they continue on in our lives behind the scenes, for us, as their ancestors did in the past."
I will, how about you. Please join hands with ME, AND WITH some one nearest to you and sing along with me, this great end of year song – Auld Lang Syne.
Auld Lang Syne Lyrics:-
Should auld acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot And days of auld lang syne?
Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
We twa hae run about the braes And pu'd the gowans fine But we've wander'd mony a weary foot Sin' auld lang syne.
Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl't in the burn Frae morning sun till dine But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin' auld lang syne.
Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
And surely ye'll be your pint stoup And surely I'll be mine And we'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne.
Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
A closing prayer at this time of year according to the Word of God, is from Psalm 45:
1: My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2: Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3: Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4: And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5: Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
6: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7: Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8: All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
9: Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
10: Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
11: So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
12: And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
13: The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
14: She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
15: With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
16: Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
17: I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
Bye for now, and may God bless you and turn your heart to him in all things from now on. I will also pray to God for you too.
Sincerely, The Old Man, for 2006, and 2007.
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