Historical Committee & Archives of the Mennonite Church

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Neujahrslied (New Year’s Song)

By Jochen Klepper
(Translated by Dr. James Vanderlaan, Illinois State University)

You, who in his hands holds time,
Lord, take this year’s burden, too
And change it into blessing.
Now that yourself have shown
The center firm in Jesus Christ,
Lead us toward the goal.

Since everything which man begins,
Fades away before his eyes,
You alone perfecter be!
The years alone which you have given us,
Should your goodness not direct us,
Become outmoded just like garments.

Who here can stand before you?
Humankind, its day, its work, disappears:
Only you alone will stay.
Only God’s year lasts forever,
Turn everyday, therefore to you,
For we are drifting in the wind.

Man senses nothing of his limit,
Yet you remain the one you are,
In years without end.
We travel forward through your anger,
And still the fountain of your grace
Streams into our empty hands.

And these gifts, Lord alone
Let worth and measure be,
Of days we spend in guilt.
Let time by them be reckoned;
What we neglected, where we failed,
May that not appear before you.

Mennonite Historical Bulletin, July 2000

Last updated 17 January 2001