So hard to believe another year has drawn to a close. On Sunday, the sermon encouraged us to look back and record God’s blessings from the year as we turn to face a new one. I find it easy to get too introspective about it — reviewing events and what I could have done differently, and what will I face this year — so the suggestion to focus on the blessings was needed. This hymn came to mind and it seems to capture the right attitude in passing from one year to the next. “What need we fear…?”
“Now greet the swiftly changing year with joy and penitence sincere;
rejoice, rejoice, with thanks embrace another year of grace.
For Jesus came to wage sin’s war; this Name of names for us he bore;
rejoice, rejoice, with thanks embrace another year of grace.
His love abundant far exceeds the volume of a whole year’s needs;
rejoice, rejoice, with thanks embrace another year of grace.
With such a Lord to lead our way in hazard and prosperity,
what need we fear in earth or space in this new year of grace?
“All glory be to God on high and peace on earth” the angels cry;
rejoice, rejoice, with thanks embrace another year of grace.”
