When I was a child living in a parsonage, we attended church services on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Imagine how we felt as kids when these holidays fell near a Sunday. Because we also attended morning and evening Sunday services, we would joke about just staying in our Sunday dresses and camping out at church.
However, as I look back at all that hard pew sitting at year’s end, I have many warm and comforting memories, one of which is singing a song that has become an old favorite:
Another year is dawning! Dear Father let it be,
In working or in waiting, Another year with Thee;
Another year of leaning Upon Thy loving breast,
Another year of trusting, Of quiet, happy rest.
Another year of mercies, Of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness In the shining of Thy face;
Another year of progress, Another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.
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.*
These words are soothing to say or sing whether happy or sad, but especially in sadness on days when nothing seems to go right, when news of injustices prevail. It’s a comfort just knowing I have another to lean on, one more powerful than my finite self can imagine.
Singing these verses to myself today, the last line struck me in a new way–another year is dawning, even in heaven! I’m smiling as I imagine my sister Kay who died in October, along with my brother, a brother-in-law, and my folks all starting a new year for Him too!
I hope these words will be a comfort to you, also, as we start another year of “working or in waiting” – 2013.
*Frances R. Havergal, 1874
Write Along with Me 
Thanks, Loie, for helping me set my priorities straight. i grew up as you did – in a parsonage. It’s so easy to forget that it’s not all about me but more about what i can do for Him and what He has done for me. Then I too can look forward to that reward of a New Year’s Day in heaven with loved ones who are already there.
LikeLike
Thank you, Loie, for your response. It’s funny how this is the first time the words of this song hit me this way. I’m sure it’s because of this “aging” thing and living more in the culture of illness and funerals than of weddings and births of when I was young. And you know this, too, all to personally.
LikeLike
Thank you, Lois, for moving away from the secular connections of New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Eve–a good time to reflect on what means most to us.
LikeLike
For sure! Rather than ring in the New Year as I did when I was young with midnight parties, I’m just thankful that I can maneuver throughout a day without a nap and have lots of time to think about things for which I am thankful.
LikeLike
Beautiful words to that song – I don’t believe I’ve ever heard it before even though it’s old.
LikeLike
It was in the 1934 and 1959 editions of the CRC’s Psalter Hymal, so I was raised with it. In the greatly revised 1987 edition, it disappeared. Here’s a little history, but the tune here is not one that we used: http://www.scriptureandmusic.com/Music/Text_Files/Another_Year_Is_Dawning.html
LikeLike
Pingback: Another Year For Thee 2013 - KEVIN NUNEZ
I see you love these thoughts too! Wonderful.
LikeLike