Sandra McCracken

Happy New Year

Here is a beloved poem by Wendell Berry, along with the original lyrics to Amazing Grace in celebration of the closing year.  I learned this weekend that Newton wrote this famous hymn for a New Years service, as a reflection and a resolution for the past and the new year.  Good words to ponder...

"The dark around us, come,
Let us meet here together,
Members one of another,
Here in our holy room,
Here on our little floor,
Here in the daylit sky,
Rejoicing mind and eye,
Rejoining known and knower,
Light, leaf, foot, hand, and wing,
Such order as we know,
One household, high and low,
And all the earth shall sing. "

-Wendell Berry

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
 I once was lost, hut now am found,
 Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
 And grace my fears relieved;
 How precious did that grace appear,
      The hour I first believed!

 Through many dangers, toils and snares,
 I have already come;
 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
      And grace will lead me home.

      The LORD has promised good to me,
      His word my hope secures;
      He will my shield and portion be,
      As long as life endures.

      Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
      And mortal life shall cease,
      I shall possess, within the veil,
      A life of joy and peace.

      The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
      The sun forbear to shine;
      But GOD, who called me here below,
      Will be for ever mine.

-John Newton