The Gate of the Year: A New Year Message

 

The Gate of the Year



Dear Friends,


At the close of the year and the threshold of another, a prayerful good wish for a Happy New Year to each and all - a continuation of the Blessing which we have been sharing during this Christmas season, and a well-known poem, The Gate of the Year (below).  

Blessing

May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ child
be yours this Christmas [and New Year];
+
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.



I said to a man who stood at the gate of the year,

"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." 

And he replied, "Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the hand of God.

That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way.

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.

And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.


(Minnie Louise Haskins, The Gate of the Year, 1912)




Thank you for your friendship and fellowship in the gospel throughout 2024.

I look forward to serving you and serving God with you in 2025.

Yours in our Lord Jesus Christ, with Christian love and affection,

Suzanne


Revd Suzanne Cousins
Rector, Aughaval Grouped Parishes - Westport & Dugort, Castlebar, Turlough
United Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe

Aughaval Parishes Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AughavalParishes





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