By Rev. Gregory S. Smith

Another year embarks the earth,  

Embracing brave new dawns, 

A brand-new path creating tasks, 

Proclaiming right from wrong;

Another chance to mend the tears

That build us brighter ways, 

Another course to build new dreams 

And charter empty days;  

Some safely lodged this time last year 

By fate have journeyed on,

While leaving fresh a vacant path

To fill a Virgin song;

And while the road unsteady leads, 

With brand new life we till, 

Embarking in our newfound court, 

We seek our portioned fill; 

We’ll wager on with fortitude 

Relinquished from above,  

God’s word will reach, compelled to teach,  

New lessons filled with love;

And with a burst of brand-new hope, 

We lift our hands to thee,  

And thank the Lord for safely granting us 2023!