A Trumpet at Midnight

Available for 18 days

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with singer and musician Ruth Jennings. Good morning. When I was younger I learnt to play the trumpet. On the turn of the millennium, our family travelled to Galway to go to a huge party hosted by extended family.I had learnt to play Auld Lang Syne, and it was agreed I could play the trumpet at midnight. However I was only 10, and I fell asleep midway through the evening. Knowing how hard I’d practised, my mum shook me awake at 5 to 12. I jumped up and grabbed my trumpet. With less than a minute to midnight, my uncle offered me a sip of his champagne and I accepted. After one sip of the bubbles for some reason my nose began to bleed. But ever the professional, I played Auld Lang Syne while blood dripped down my face, my trumpet, my outfit and unto the floor! Since then, my New Years eves have been somewhat less exciting. For many of them, I’ve gone to bed and slept my way to the next calendar year. One American study suggested that between 20-30% of people won’t bother staying awake to see in 2026. My sister agrees and thinks it’s crazy to stay up to midnight knowing the first day of the year she’d tired and grouchy.Maybe it comes down to whether you’re a morning lark or night owl? Perhaps there is no need for a moral judgement on whether getting up early or staying up late is better. Instead, we could take our lead from Jesus who took time to be with his father God, whether it was early in the morning or late at night. Father God, Thank you for the blessings and joy we have received this year. As the New Year dawns, help us rededicate our hearts and our minds to you. Amen