New Year’s Wishes by Frances Ridley Havergal
December 31, 2007 by Ingrid Schlueter
What shall I wish thee?
Treasures of earth?
Songs in the springtime,
Pleasures and mirth?
Flowers on thy pathway,
Skies ever clear?
Would this ensure thee
A Happy New Year?
What shall I wish thee?
What can be found
Bringing thee sunshine
All the year round?
Where is the treasure,
Lasting and dear,
That shall ensure thee
A Happy New Year?
Faith that increaseth,
Walking in light;
Hope that aboundeth,
Happy and bright;
Love that is perfect,
Casting out fear;
These shall ensure thee
A Happy New Year.
Peace in the Savior,
Rest at His feet,
Smile of His countenance
Radiant and sweet,
Joy in His presence!
Christ ever near!
This will ensure thee
A Happy New Year!
–Frances Ridley Havergal
Wish you a happy new year!!
Wishing you increased joy in Him in the coming year. With thanks to God for what you share here with others.
Happy New Year and God bless your ministry here. Thanks for this by Havergal….much appreciated.
Happy New Year. God bless you and this site.
Beautiful poem. Thank you for posting this.
The life and works of Fances Ridley Havergal have been a rare and deep benefit to me in my life. Thank you for acknowledging her to your readers, Ingrid.
My beloved father became unexpectedly ill on New Year’s Day, failing rapidly until he passed away the next morning. This poem was comforting to read as I sat here at my desk feeling somewhat sorry for myself for an unhappy start to 2008 for my family. Dad is with the Lord, and I am so thankful of the promise of one day being reunited with our loved ones.
Thank you for posting the poem.
Dolores,
I’m so sorry to hear about your father’s passing suddenly. We never know what one day or one hour can hold. I remember January of 2000 well when mom called to say my brother was going to the hospital. He hadn’t been well for weeks and had collapsed at home. (He’s single and lives with my parents.) We thought he was completely healthy but his kidneys had failed. What a shock for everyone involved. He went downhill severely for the next 3 years on dialysis and we thought we would lose him very certainly. It was so hard because my brother and I have always been close friends. I thought, “what a way to start a new year and a millennium too!” The Lord did mercifully allow my sister to donate a kidney and he has been on his feet for three years now and doing well, aside from complications from the anti-rejection meds. All we can ever do is walk each day with our Savior and hold his hand tightly when all around us fails. The Lord comfort you, Dolores. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you, Ingrid for your comforting words. Your brother’s health will be in my prayers this New Year, as well as prayers for your continued ministry at this site.