Another year “begins” for us.

Let me share two thoughts today.  First a short quote,

“Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.” — Brooks Atkinson

Second, there is a beautiful prayer from the order for Evening Prayer in the New Zealand Prayer Book,

Lord, it is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.

The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world
and of our own lives rest in you.

The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us, and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys, new possibilities.

In your name we pray.
 
Amen.

It seems to me this prayer is appropriate as we move from the last hours of one year into the first hours of a new year.  We can stand ready to let the past go, and look to the new dawn.

May you be blessed by God’s presence and God’s love in this year.