I fell asleep at 11:53pm with a Harry Potter book nestled into the pillows beside me, the spine still gripped in my hand. My husband snuck into the room and snapped a photo of me sleeping in my New Year’s Eve party wear—a sweatshirt, pajama pants, and tousled hair—then he shook me awake. To celebrate.
Regardless of the day’s early wake-up call, or the long afternoon spent sightseeing in Washington DC, or the kids in various stages of exhaustion draped across hotel furniture, we were going to celebrate the new year in our old way.
He packed a bottle of wine in the car when we left home a few days before, and then smuggled dinner rolls in a crumpled napkin out of a restaurant earlier in the evening. He poured the wine in a plastic cup and spread open the napkin with the bread in the center, while the rest of us roused ourselves into a state of awareness and interest.
The five of us gathered in a small circle on the floor around the bread and wine, as we’ve done every New Year’s Eve at midnight since the birth of our family, and we broke bread together.
We dipped the bread in the wine, and read a few Scriptures, celebrating the Eucharist on the floor of a hotel room hundreds of miles from home.
Early in our marriage, my husband decided the best way to begin a new year is to give thanks for the old one and invite Jesus into the coming one, by partaking in the blood and body of Christ.
Throughout the years, we’ve kept this tradition regardless of country or continent, annoyed parents or small, tired children, rowdy parties or sleep-inducing sightseeing trips. We’ve used apple juice and crackers, sparkling cider and crumbs, floors, counter tops, and quiet rooms in friends’ houses.
We’ve invited others in and sometimes, secreted away to keep others out.
It is a sacred and holy moment for our family, frequently punctuated with the grumpiest member asking, “Are we done yet?” We are so frustratingly human.
I anticipate this tradition every year, more than the dropping crystal ball or the fireworks or the kiss at midnight.
I look forward to ushering in the new year in remembrance and thanks. No matter how imperfectly we’ve ended the year, in sadness or joy, frustration or contentment, we gently set the previous twelve months in its place in our family’s story.
We put ourselves in our place too—behind a God who is good and holy and full of love for the version of us that enters the year ahead. A God who knows what will unfold.
A God who knows the frailty of our faith, and reminds us, through the tangible example of bread and wine, that He has already provided a way into the unknown.
Leave a Comment
Dawn Paoletta says
Well I absolutely love the idea of breaking bread and sipping wine amidst our frustrating human frustration! Thank you for sharing and affirming the grace we have available always despite our humanity…because, Jesus!
Laurie B. says
Amen and Amen!!!
Kimberly says
“Affirming the grace”–yes, exactly, Dawn. Grace is always readily available, it’s up to us to partake!
Melissa says
Thank you for this article! This will be a wonderful new tradition for our family! New Years blessings!
Kimberly says
Many blessings to you in 2017, Melissa!
Pearl Allard says
Wow! Kimberly, this is so beautiful and real! Thank you so much for allowing us a glimpse into your family’s sacred tradition. I’ve never thought to celebrate that way, but what more fitting way is there?
Kimberly says
I have my husband to thank for insisting on it, in spite of the rest of us;)
Sandi Windsor-Chaney says
This is an amazing idea! Thank you so much for sharing!
Kimberly says
Thanks for reading, Sandi:)
Jayne Smith says
Thank you! As a relative new widow venturing out in faith to serve in new ways, I was caught first by your statement “God knows what will unfold, and He has already provided a way into the unknown” reaffirms where I must keep my eyes focused while providing blessed assurance. Each day I am in awe and giddy at the fact He chose me to be His child.
Diane Daniel says
Jayne, I, too, am a new widow. I was caught by her caption also. Never would I have dreamed last New Year’s Eve that I would not have my precious husband this year. I know my Father goes before me so I can anticipate the new year without fear. A simple communion is a special way to focus on our Savior & Redeemer who will never leave us or forsake us!
Kimberly says
Diane, I’m so sorry for the loss of your husband. May the Lord bless you and keep you this year.
Beth Williams says
Diane,
So sorry for the loss of your beloved husband and friend. I pray you find comfort and peace in knowing He has plans for you. May you feel His loving arms surrounding you now and always!!
((((((Hugs))))))
Kimberly says
Oh, Jayne. I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. You are chosen, dear one.
Beth Williams says
Jayne,
So sorry for the loss of your beloved husband and friend. I pray you find comfort and peace in knowing He has plans for you. May you feel His loving arms surrounding you now and always!!
((((((Hugs))))))
Lwj says
Beautiful tradition.
Sheeba Stanley says
A great tradition invented and practiced by your family reminding us that past year is history and ask for faith and trust God to lead us in to the mystery of that our Heavenly Father has planned for us. I will make this a tradition for my family from this year
Kimberly says
Hi, Sheeba! I hope this tradition blesses your family as it has blessed mine!
Elizabeth says
A beautiful tradition – thank you so much for sharing it.
Elizabeth
Kimberly says
Thanks for reading, Elizabeth:)
Michelle says
I LOVE this!! If you don’t mind, I’d like to share it with my husband and see about starting this lovely God and Christ centered tradition in our own home. Thank you for sharing!!!
Kimberly says
Share away, Michelle! Communion is for all of us!
Sara says
Hi Kimberly,
Your writing inspired me in so many ways. I love your New Year’s Eve tradition and will start doing that this year. This year, the kids are with their dad all week, and I will be alone for the first New Years in years. I contemplated asking around for somewhere to go or to find something to do, but the idea of aloneness on New Years quickly fell away as I have checked off so many big items off my To Do list and am feeling so much eagerness to plow through and get as much done before the kids return as I can.
After a very challenging year emotionally and logistically, I have seen God working for my kids and me in amazing ways day after day. So what better tradition to start than to be intentional and mindful of giving thanks for 2016 and stepping in humbly into 2017. Thank you for sharing – I cannot wait to do this!
And I love your line, “We are so frustratingly human.” It sums up my thoughts over and over as I have continued to use my faith to support and nourish my kids through life and then only to receive eye rolls, “are you done yet?” and “I don’t believe in God anymore.” While it is fine, sweet child of mine, that you don’t believe, must you say it every time I mention God?? 😉
Blessings and happy new year!
Sara
Kimberly says
Sara, your comment about your kids made me laugh;) Mine are SO reluctant every year. And when we read the Bible, pray, attend church… Keep on pressing forward:) I’ll be thinking of you this year as we take communion, and praying for your 2017.
KeriMcCue says
Why have I never thought of this tradition! It makes so much sense! I love this, and I love that it is done with the whole family. Such an amazing way to welcome the New Year!
Kimberly says
I wish I could take credit, Keri:) It’s been an amazing tradition, grumbling aside.
Jamie S. Harper says
Lovely tradition. Maybe I will partake this year too. Thank you!
Kimberly says
Thanks, Jamie! I hope you do!
Michele Morin says
Oh, my goodness. What a perfectly appropriate way to bring in the new year. I’m wondering if this would work with a group of friends as well — so often I’m frustrated by our lack of focus and quiet introspection when we gather as Christians.
Kimberly says
I think you can make it bend to fit the shape of any gathering:)
Dina Castillo says
Well Kimberly, I’m from Costa Rica. Thanks for sharing with us this article. I will love to have this same familiar tradition, I will try to improve it this year. May God continue blessing you in the coming 2017!!!
Kimberly says
Thanks so much, Dina! I hope your 2017 is full of good, God-given gifts.
sheryl87 says
Such a wonderful tradition! I love the idea of thanking our Lord for the past year and inviting him into the next. Thank you so much for sharing!
Kimberly says
Thanks for reading, Sheryl:)
Joanna says
I absolutely love this! Shared it with my husband–we are celebrating our first New Years as a married couple and it would be wonderful to start a tradition! Thank you!
Kimberly says
Wonderful! Congratulations on your first year together:)
Judi says
I grew up in a rather conservative denomination. Each New Year’s Eve the church hosted a family game night. From volleyball to Hi Ho Cherry O with lots of snacks provided. Close to midnight we would all gather in the sanctuary for communion (with grape juice).
Later as an adult I would hear, “What does communion have to do with New Years Eve? That’s a crazy tradition.”
You explained it beautifully! Thank you for making it clearly reasonable.
Jo says
REALLY Beautiful. Thanks for sharing this inspiring and very grounding story. It is a wonderfully different perspective of what the New Year can mean.
Rebecca L Jones says
I have always prayed in the New Year, I have found myself taking Communion at various times for health reasons, I have even found the grace to do some fasting, it is a wonderful way to usher in the New Year, 2017 for us and 5777 on the Jewish calendar.
Leah Adams says
What a wonderful thing to do! Although being an early to bed girl, I might be the one grumbling a bit. Lovely post.
Kimberly says
It’s possible I may be responsible for some of the complaints. Possible, probable, highly likely;)
Stephanie says
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. I hope you and your family have a blessed and happy New Year! Xo ❤
Beth Williams says
Kimberly,
What a nice tradition to do on New Year’s Eve. Our little Christian church does communion each and every Sunday. We have someone read/do a communion meditation, sing a special song & have communion brought to us. I find it refreshing to think about telling God we are only human. Please come with us into the New Year and walk with us.
Have a blessed New Year’s Eve!! 🙂
Kimberly says
I love when churches offer communion every week. It keeps us near the cross, don’t you think?
Jane says
What a beautiful tradition! One I plan to start this year. Thank you for sharing this!
Kirby says
I love this! My kids are grown but there’s no reason a new tradition can’t be started between me and my husband! A really wonderful idea. Blessings to you and your writing in 2017.
Kimberly says
Absolutely, Kirby! Enjoy this time with your husband creating something new for the New Year.
Susan Shipe says
It’s never too late to start a new tradition, right? LOVE THIS!
Christina Hubbard says
I need this tradition! Thank you, Kimberly, for painting a picture of such a meaningful way to celebrate the New Year!
Marian Vischer says
How lovely to be reading this just 10 min before the new year begins. What a beautiful post and tradition. It makes me want to pause tonight and give thanks, hard year though it was. Gratitude really is the best backdrop for new beginnings.
Wishing you all the best in the new year my dear friend!
Joanne Cuny says
I do so appreciate your website but have just recently been unable to finish reading the daily Joannepiece due to a ‘share,tweet,pin’ feature at the bottom of the feature. Help please? Happy New Year to you & yours.