As we reflect on this last day of this year, may there be uppermost in our thoughts, not only gratitude to God for all His grace and mercy, but may there be thankfulness and worship of the One who came to be Saviour, Lord and King.

In 1859, as he was recovering from a serious illness, William Chatterton Dix wrote the following well known poem often sang at this time of the year:

As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold,
As with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped to that lowly manger bed,
There to bend the knee before Him whom heav’n and earth adore;
So may we, with willing feet, ever seek Thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare at that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heav’nly King.

Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide, where no clouds Thy glory hide.

May we be like those wise men of old and still seek Jesus today and all days remaining to us.