Have you got the coal now Reg?
- Caroline Hawkins
- Dec 30, 2020
- 3 min read
Firstly, don't do it, just don't follow the Dales tradition of putting a flaming barrel of tar on you head and seeing in the new year; it won't end well.....but I absolutely love the haunting "Tar Barrels in Dale" sung by The Unthanks and that is very safe to listen to...
https://youtu.be/QnHp-em1vec The Unthanks, Tar Barrel in Dale 2015
(Photo from following website https://www.visitnorthumberland.com/inspire-me/traditions/tar-barl)
“Will you get the coal Reg, it’s nearly midnight, we need to let the old year out and let the new one in!” The ritual that dear Bernadette, my Mum played out every year I can remember at home! In fact we all traipsed outside at 11.58 just to be sure, to be sure….Then at 12.00 as midnight struck Dad the ‘tall dark stranger’ who was 6’2” and had black hair would be allowed back in with a lump of coal (kept especially) to ‘first foot’. Andrew has never quite got over this, and often complains at being shoved outside (usually in a dressing gown - he is a lark not an owl) to first foot too, this spectacular is rounded off with a loose rendition of a sleepy Auld Lang syne. A Celtic tradition, no argument, Mammy said it had to be done.
What is it with us humans and traditions? Is it a link with what we hold dear? An unwillingness to let go and let God? With Jesus firmly bringing the Light back into our lives through His birth and our houses full of more lights (more tradition in the darkest time of year) we in our fragility can’t help but hold on to those things that bring us comfort...and joy. Ritual and tradition is what most of us are grounded in, and this year our rituals and traditions have sailed out of the window! Mercifully the Light has shone right back in; and some even followed a star….
“… After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2: 2
Another of the traditions in our house is that the “Magi” from our Crib ‘travel' around the house to arrive at the manger at Epiphany. As we travelled on our own hazardous journey in 2020 I wondered what it had been like for the Magi? Hazardous one presumes as they were uncertain on who and what they would find, a king yes, but what kind? Surely not another like Herod? Mercifully not, but a babe born and laid in a manger full of straw, with a heart full of love. The journey of the Magi is sometimes seen as metaphor for our own journey through life; to follow, to be guided, to travel, to trust, to truly let go, and let God.
Listening to a commentary this week, an examen, the phrase that has stuck me has been….
What has been your guiding star this year?
Hmmmm, I wonder what your guiding star has been?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p012w99y/p012wqjg What the stars looked like…
Sincerely I wish that your guiding star for 2021 is a bright shining one that will light you up with grace, faith, hope and peace. That light being Jesus walking alongside you as you say goodbye to all that has past and a stepping forward and a closer walk with Himself.
Bathe then in His Light.
"...‘The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace'...” Numbers 6:24-26
A selection of traditional music for this sparkling season.....
https://youtu.be/rhPiJ2Fk5nk Concert de Noel dans la Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris 2020 (Style huh! Only the French can look stylish in a boiler suit and protective helmet!)
and something a bit different - featuring Bellowhead and The Unthanks it is riotous!
https://youtu.be/vWAsUuXws_Y BBC Four Sessions - The Christmas Session 2011
Virtually see you for Celtic Morning Prayers on New Year's Day (whatever time you get up)!
Peace be with you friends <><
Caroline :) x
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