I've just recently heard of this New Years Hymn written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was certainly not aloof, and thinking like most do today as we see on every new year celebration.. "oh Happy New Year, this year is going to be so much better, I'm going to be better, and..." better better better... Blah blah blah! Here in his Hymn, he makes no such empty platitudes.
Here in his Hymn, he is looking forward with realistic hopefulness. Looking into the face of unknown adversity, in a way that is counting on it almost. BUT With Hope in Christ, because He is enough! The Hymn was written in German of course. Below is the English translation.
By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered,
and confidently waiting come what may,
we know that God is with us night and morning,
and never fails to greet us each new day.
Yet is this heart by its old foe tormented,
and evil days bring burdens hard to bear;
Oh, give our frightened souls the sure salvation,
for which, O Lord, you taught us to prepare.
And when this cup you give is filled to brimming
with bitter suffering, hard to understand,
we take it thankfully and without trembling
out of so good and so beloved a hand.
Yet when again in this same world you give us
the joy we had, the brightness of your sun,
we shall remember all the days we lived through
and our whole life shall then be yours alone.
Words © 1974 Hope Publishing Company, 380 S Main Pl, Carol Stream, IL 60188
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