The New Year (Hope)

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.
Hebrews 12:1b-2a, NASB

Christmas carols have been sung, and now the New Year is on the horizon. Consider these beautiful verses written by Frances Ridley Havergal, the nineteenth-century British poet and hymn writer—as contemplation on the coming year:

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 is dawning, Dear Father, let it be,
On earth or else in heaven, another year for Thee.

Lead on, O King eternal, we follow, not with fears. For gladness breaks like morning where’er Thy face appears.
Ernest Shurtleff