Tag: New Year

January – a poem at the turning of the year by Marjorie Dobson

January

(the month is named after the Roman god, Janus, whose two faces looked in opposite directions and who was the god of doors, or openings.)



At the turning of the year 
that two-faced Roman god 
looks longingly back, 
yet urges us forward 
into the unknown.


We stand at the threshold, 
knowing we must face
the unknowable, 
yet lingering and clinging 
to what we leave behind.


The changing pace of time 
may fill us with dread
when anxieties overwhelm, 
or danger threatens, 
or the future has predictable limitations.


There may be hope in days ahead, 
promises to be fulfilled, 
vows to be made, 
new life and new directions 
glittering with expectation.


But the two-faced god 
pays no regard to pain or pleasure, 
simply stands like stone 
gazing impassively 
in both directions.


Thank God, the God we know, 
holds past and future 
in living, loving hands 
and takes on flesh 
to prove the truth of that involvement.


Marjorie Dobson © Stainer & Bell Ltd 2019 from Unravelling the Mysteries

Looking backwards, looking forwards – New Year Hymn

1          What clutter has the last year left,
            what loving, laughing, sighing;
            what things of worth to hold and keep,
            what grace that we’re denying;

2          what battered fragments of the past,
            things best left un-remembered,
            what joys that we had once denied,
            by hatred we’ve dismembered?

3          Great God, amid the light of Christ,
            bring a discerning spirit,
            that we might hold the things of worth
            that others might inherit.

4          The things that we should treasure most,
            God, sharpen in our vision,
            that we might finely tune your love
            to fight against division.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
© 2016 Stainer and Bell Ltd.
8 7 8 7
DOMINUS REGIT ME

A hymn for reflection and penitence at the New Year’s turning – How can people praise…

1	How can people praise the Godhead,
	save in humble penitence?
	How can we avoid the verdict
	of these years' indifference?
	If our God has come among us
	then we have betrayed a call;
	out of selfish pride our grasping
	puts our gain ahead of all.

2	If that God was born among us
	then the people of that birth
	suffered taunting and derision,
	persecution on this earth.
	Driven from their given cradle,
	scattered seeds upon the wind;
	Christians led that desecration
	and, we wonder, will it end?

3	Holocaust, crusades, apartheid,
	inquisition, slavery,
	all have had a Christian presence,
	justifying butchery;
	every century adds locations
	pictured on a map or chart
	scenes of human devastation
	hatred honed, become an art.

4	Now we stand and, just like Peter,
	we've no cause to strut or crow,
	we are self-deceived if claiming
	righteousness, our debts you know:
	debts of love we owe each other,
	debts we never can repay;
	for two thousand years' denial
	Lord forgive, for this we pray.

5	Enter rooms of desolation,
	bring your love to cleanse, to spare;
	'Peace be with you', once you uttered,
	let us hear and let us share;
	bring us from this darkest moment
	into dazzling, gleaming light,
	as the new year’s day is dawning
	end the horror of our night.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2001(alt 2022)  Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 8 7 8 7 D
Tunes: CONVERSE; MANOR HOUSE