As the new year begins, the great Presbyterian hymn, “The Sands of Time Are Sinking,” has been in my mind. It’s not a hymn I grew up with, but one I learned to appreciate as an adult. It’s about time, and our ultimate hopes as believers. Suitable, I think. The hymnwriter Anne R. Cousin based it on something the Scottish Presbyterian divine Samuel Rutherford said on his deathbed.

I heard somewhere, once, that this was Moody’s favorite hymn, and that they sang it at all his rallies.

Or it may have been Spurgeon. I wasn’t there.

Today, it should be noted, is J. R. R. Tolkien’s birthday. It is the custom for every Tolkien fan to take a moment tonight at 9:00 p.m. local time, stand, raise their beverage of choice, and say, “The Professor!”

I doubt the Professor would have approved of the orange soda I plan to drink, but I do what I can within my personal limitations.