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71
THOUGHTS FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY.
THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST.
On New Year's day the God-sent Name
Was spoken first o'er the “Young Child,”
His saving errand to proclaim,
While yet a speechless Babe He smiled;
Jesus—that ear-alluring word,
Jesus—that “joyful sound” was heard.
Was spoken first o'er the “Young Child,”
His saving errand to proclaim,
While yet a speechless Babe He smiled;
Jesus—that ear-alluring word,
Jesus—that “joyful sound” was heard.
Thus on the forefront of the year,
As on the high-priest's brow of yore,
The Name of names is written clear;
Thus Christ—our Captain—goes before,
And not one day that looks to Him
Can be all desolate or dim.
As on the high-priest's brow of yore,
The Name of names is written clear;
Thus Christ—our Captain—goes before,
And not one day that looks to Him
Can be all desolate or dim.
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On New Year's day the “Holy Child”
Gave the first drops of “precious blood”
From His fair body undefiled;
Prelude of that atoning flood
Which poured from hands and feet and side,
When as our Paschal Lamb He died.
Gave the first drops of “precious blood”
From His fair body undefiled;
Prelude of that atoning flood
Which poured from hands and feet and side,
When as our Paschal Lamb He died.
And thus the sprinkled blood is seen
Upon the lintel of the year;
Days, weeks, and months flow on serene
And no destroying angel fear:
For who the humblest soul can harm
That hides behind that crimson charm?
Upon the lintel of the year;
Days, weeks, and months flow on serene
And no destroying angel fear:
For who the humblest soul can harm
That hides behind that crimson charm?
On New Year's day the touch of pain
Bedewed with tears that Infant's cheek;
He suffered, though He knew no stain—
Able to weep though not to speak:
Too soon the “Man of sorrows” found
The pangs which crowd this grief-strewn ground.
Bedewed with tears that Infant's cheek;
He suffered, though He knew no stain—
Able to weep though not to speak:
Too soon the “Man of sorrows” found
The pangs which crowd this grief-strewn ground.
73
And thus a glittering crown is worn
Upon the brow of the New Year,
But it is made of twisted thorn,
And every point has its own tear:
“Sufficient evil” each day knows,
But “grace sufficient” Christ bestows.
Upon the brow of the New Year,
But it is made of twisted thorn,
And every point has its own tear:
“Sufficient evil” each day knows,
But “grace sufficient” Christ bestows.
May I each day of this New Year,
“Look unto Jesus” and be blest;
His Name each day become more dear:
His Spirit sprinkle on my breast
The blood which quiets every fear,
And brightens every falling tear!
“Look unto Jesus” and be blest;
His Name each day become more dear:
His Spirit sprinkle on my breast
The blood which quiets every fear,
And brightens every falling tear!
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