“Real” Winter Arrives

December, 2022 will be one to remember for most of the United States.  A poet’s reflections fill these verses while looking out a kitchen window.  Always glad to be inside and staying warm when the wind chill plunges to -30 degrees.

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Weather predictions hold true

More winter, never seems through

 

Cold, Arctic air sets up camp

Long-forgotten, frigid scamp

 

“Real” winter arrives in strength

Transmitting on all wavelengths

 

Morning light arrives, dark gray

Sunshine hiding this Friday

 

Landscape shivers under white

Every creature taking flight

 

Freezing wind never lets up

Wintertime’s polar holdup

 

Wind gust rocks home’s foundation

Turning on weather station

 

Snowy drifts growing deeper

Frosty, trusty doorkeeper

 

Barren trees bend against squall

No longer standing so tall

 

Life scatters, seeking shelter

Winter storm’s helter-skelter

 

Visibility nearly gone

Snow heavier than chiffon

 

Quiet roads, traffic withdrawn

No orders from Amazon

 

Keeping each home’s fire burning

Warming hearts, day keeps churning

 

Cup of cocoa, not enough

Snowing outside, rough and tough

 

Grabbing pair of heavy socks

Thawing frozen toes’ icebox

 

Sitting at writing table

Poet ready and able

 

Candle’s light dances like wind

Framing this coldest weekend

  

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Perhaps this cup of hot cocoa will do the trick . . . along with extra marshmallows!

Forever’s Light (Elfchen Series #132)

Emmanuel

Hallelujah!

Wonderful, Counselor

God with us

Hallowed Prince of Peace

Everlasting

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Greatest Love

Hallelujah!

Blessed Savior

Eternal life’s gift

Journey away from darkness

Inexhaustible

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Resurrection Lives

Hallelujah!

God’s goodness

Peace and grace

Kneeling at one cross

Undefeated

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Coming King

From Isaiah 9:2:  “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

World stumbling in darkness

God’s promises breathe truth

Shining cosmos bright light

Love’s descendant of Ruth

 

Heavy, burdensome tasks

Father sees mankind’s plight

Living life without joy

Heavens glow with His light

 

Son of God, born to us

Wonderful, Prince of Peace

Coming King, righteous reign

Never shall His light cease

 

Heavenly host praises

Angelic chorus sings

Kneeling shepherds humbled

From Bethlehem, light brings

 

Emmanuel’s new hope

God with us evermore

Turning darkness away

Light upon mercy’s door

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Isaiah 9:6:  “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders, and He is named Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

A Special Gift

Today’s poem is a very special guest post and gift from Mrs. Buckeye.  My talented wife, Colleen, adds her voice to this Advent season as we both await the birth of our Savior.

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A special gift arrived for us!

 It came so quietly . . .

 . . . perhaps you did not know.

 There was no fancy wrapping,

 not even a pretty bow,

 no ornate frills or glitter,

 no festive party mood . . .

  . . . Just a tiny, baby boy

 born in a stable crude.

 He was our Savior King.

 He came to earth to bring

 God’s gift of love.

      

 God’s greatest gift was giv’n to us.

 It was His only Son . . .

 . . . perhaps you did not know.

 He left a throne in heaven

 to come to our world below.

 His birth was without grandeur;

 a star His only crown;

 Just a precious little babe;

 our God, to earth came down.

 He is our Savior King

 To Him all Praises sing

 God’s gift, great love.

 

     So, turn your eyes from glittering scenes

 with Santa’s presents bright . . .

 . . . perhaps you need to know.

 Just turn from worldly glitter,

 and gaze on that glorious night.

 Look there upon the baby

 in God’s own Holy light.

 Now, look past the party crowds

 past shopping to be done.

 Look past all worldly things.

 Look at the baby king,

 God’s Gift has come!

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From 2 Corinthians 9:15:  “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

Spring’s Anticipation (Haiku Series #209)

Hurry Back

Every . . . falling leaf

Reminder . . . winter’s coming—

Dreaming . . . spring’s rebirth

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Holding Back

Winter’s silence speaks

Quiet trees withhold their joy—

Waiting for spring’s call

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Returning Back

Tender seedling sprouts

Nature transitions again—

Life reawakens

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Monday Memories: Waiting for a Call

woman wearing gray topcoat during snow season

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Waiting for its urgent call

Winter’s snow waiting to strike

Where is winter hosting fun?

Playing games in the Klondike

 

School children watch outside

Dreaming of a snow day soon

School’s steady beat marches on

Soon, everyone sings a new tune

 

Weather forecast predicts snow

Snowplows prepare for battle

But, this storm slides to the north

Hmm, snow dumps on Seattle!

 

Outside, waiting for a call

Snow shovel dreams of snowfall

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Originally published January, 2020.

Love’s Promised Peace (Fourth Sunday of Advent)

From Isaiah 7:13-14:  “Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear then, O house of David!  Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also?  Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign.  Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name Him Immanuel.'”

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Seeing life’s uncertainty

Searching heavens far beyond

God’s love offers gift of peace

Sending to earth, Savior’s bond

 

Tracing roots of future Prince

Sensing blessed hope through time

Bethlehem stable breathes love

Transforming man’s paradigm

 

Bearing His Son, born this day

Filling Mary with God’s love

Angelic voices praising

Singing with joy high above

 

Lasting, grace-filled love shall save

Bringing wayward sheep back home

Good Shepherd walking this land

Gifting peace to always roam

 

Declaring new covenant

Shining with love’s promised peace

Joyous light born in manger

Blessing hope’s faithful, new lease

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A contemporary Christian song, “When Love Crossed Over,” shares powerful and inspiring images during this Advent season.  

Advent’s Journey (Elfchen Series #131)

Prophetic

Trust

God’s promises

His actions awaken

Life’s wilderness shall blossom

Hope

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Witness

Hope

For Savior

God’s desires fulfilled

Bethlehem stable’s Holy ground

Peace

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Receive

Peace

Father’s gift

Lying in manger

Emmanuel, God with us

Joy

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Illuminating

Joy

Angels proclaim

Humble shepherds attest

Christ comes to save

Love

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Whitest Glow

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December’s barren ground

Autumn now long over

Snowflakes flying, earthbound

Winter’s white sweet clover

 

Village sleeping tonight

Children dreaming of snow

Crystal-clear sky’s moonlight

Changing to whitest glow

 

Beginning to drop in

Targeted flurries fall

Playful snowstorm begins

Winter finally calls

 

Snowy pace never wanes

Flakes now piling up high

Truckers reaching for chains

Driving where snowballs fly           

 

Wishful, children wake up

Stirring with loudest cheers

Sleds ready for tune-up

White Christmas comes this year

 

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Gospel-Driven

From 2 Corinthians 5:17-18:  “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”

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God’s living grace

Bends earthly lives

Word’s special place

Righteousness thrives

 

Forgiveness gifts

Mercy for all

Spirit uplifts

One man named Saul

 

Undeserved grace

Transforming hearts

Joy shall embrace

Life’s hope restarts

 

Redemption shared

Walking with Christ

Because God cared

Evil’s plan iced

 

Grace reconciled

Sins forgiven

Darkness exiled

Gospel-driven

 

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From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “Experiencing the forgiveness God offers will transform every part of life.”