Another Year is Dawning

“You crown the year with your goodness” (Psalms 65:1)

It was said that a hymnist Frances Ridley Havergal took New Year’s Day very seriously, always using it as a time for reflection and often composing a poem to send to friends expressing her feelings about the new day and year. The one she wrote in 1874 has become immortal. She was 36 at the time, and she dashed off this poem and had it printed on a specially designed greeting card to be sent to friends. The card was captioned: “A Happy New Year! Ever such may it be!” You even can see the card at most of the Christian bookstores, MPH or Popular bookstores. The inside said:

Another year is dawning: Dear Father, let it be,

In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;

Another year of progress, another year of praise,

Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,

Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;

Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast,

Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love;

Another year of training for holier work above.

Another year of dawning: Dear Father, let it be,

On earth or else in heaven, another year for Thee.

Dear Lord, this coming 2014, “You crown the year with your goodness” Amen. THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.