Alleluiah, A Happy New Year

Then out through the gates of the midnight—
      The door of the past was ajar—
      His robe like a shroud wrapped around him,
      The Old Year vanished afar.
And as morn with her soft rosy fingers
      Flung open the gates of the East,
      The New Year looked out from its chambers
      With a smile and a blessing of peace.

~Eliza A. Wetherby Otis (1833–1904),

Hope and faith flower 
from the cheerful seeds of the old year 
to the sprouting garden 
of the new year's dawn. 

~Terri Guillemets

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,

all earth:

make a loud noise, 

and rejoice,

and 

sing praise.

Psalms 98:4

Lord, as the New Year dawns today,
      Help me to put my faults away.
      Let me be big in little things;
      Grant me the joy which friendship brings;
      Keep me from selfishness and spite,
      Let me be wise to what is right.
A Happy New Year! grant that I
      May cause no tear to any eye.
      When this new year in time shall end,
      Let it be said: "I've played the friend,
      Have lived and loved and labored here
      And made of it a happy year."

~Edgar Guest (1881–1959), 

"Prayer for the New Year"