New Year

by Grant Thorpe

At the winding down of one year and the starting of another

When we've had a chance to think and pray and talk with one another

When the things we plan to do seem plain and duties are not pressing

There has seemed to be a chance that we do some slight progressing.

But well we know that newness does not come with time's mere passing

That the heart has business of its own untouched by clocks and planning

It grinds and binds when troubles are its daily occupation

But soars and sings and serves and loves when free of condemnation.

The word of Christ has made us new, we are a new creation

Old things have gone because they died in Christ's great crucifixion

The now is new because Christ stands at right hand of the Father

And his Spirit leads us in the way of truth and restoration.

To dream of other futures or to make another goal

Is like going back to Adam and to lose our very soul

Our future is Christ Jesus, and the gospel of his making

And the faith, the love, the hope and joy that now are everlasting.