Bònn Ane! Jou Endepandans!

January 1st is not only New Years day in Haiti it is also Independence day.

We stand to face the future;

God behind us in the past

Christ before us; the way ahead;

Christ beside us in this moment;

Christ beneath us in our weakness;

Christ above to shield us –

beneath the shadow of his wings we are safe;

Christ between us to bind us in the unity of his love;

Christ in us, equipping us with his all sufficient grace.

Thus armed and guided, and protected we face the new year.

Now we arise and go forth on the journey before us,

knowing that, where Christ leads, life is a journey home.

Therefore we travel in faith, in hope, and in love,

in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

May the blessing of God be upon us all this year and into eternity.

Amen

A New Year Blessing from the Iona Community, Iona, Scotland

Happy New Year! Happy Independence Day!