God of time and eternity, with Christmas joy we praise you for the year gone by and for the year we have begun. Your Son comes among us to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim a year acceptable in your sight. Knit us in harmony and love, we who are flesh of his flesh. Fill this new year with mercy and compassion, with prosperity and accord, as we join the angels in proclaiming your praise: Glory in heaven and peace on earth, now and forever. Amen.