THE following extract is from a poem which caught the public attention and the popular imagination when King George VI quoted it in his 1939 Christmas broadcast to the British Empire.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown".

And he replied: "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way".

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.

And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

Minnie Louise Haskins

At the time of the King's Christmas broadcast, Europe was at war and as people looked towards 1940, we can imagine that they were filled with uncertainty and dreaded what the new year might bring.

Sadly, war and conflict are still part of life’s daily pattern for many people around the world. We hope and pray that, for those whose lives are scarred by war and conflict, there may come a true and lasting peace. This reminds us too, that each one of us is called to be brokers of peace in our communities and to seek reconciliation.

Each one of us has skills and gifts which we use to make a positive contribution to our communities and to enable others to flourish. Each one of us has something to offer which makes life more rewarding for those around us.

We could consider volunteering for a charity or other group or organisation. Simple acts of kindness such as helping a neighbour with their shopping or other simple jobs can make a world of difference to someone.

I like to think that the message of Minnie Louise Haskins’s poem is a positive one which offers us hope as we journey into 2026.

A new year means a new chapter in our lives, both as individuals and as local communities.

In good times we must remember that good fortune is not a matter of course, and that there are always some for whom everyday life is hard.

In challenging times, we must try to not lose heart, and a smile may just help us get through the days when life seems dreary.

What the New Year may bring none of us knows, but I hope we can step into it together in a spirit of hope and confidence as our poem by Minnie Louise Haskins encourages us to. And… may this poem inspire us to work together to enable human flourishing.

I wish each one of you a happy New Year.

The Rev Prebendary Matthew Tregenza

Crediton Parish Church