Shall be born for us
Our Wonderful Counselor—
Sharing endless peace
Walking in darkness
Witnessing a wondrous light—
Rejoice! God in flesh
Born in Bethlehem
Uphold justice, righteousness—
Mighty Prince of Peace
This poem, originally written and published in December, 2018, has been updated in its style. The basic theme remains the same from the original post.
Americans celebrate many Christmas traditions from far away
Several come from Europe, continuing to bless lives to this day
Christmas in Europe recognized on one of two dates
Gregorian or Julian calendar establishes its final fate
Much of the European continent observes St. Nicholas Day
Exchanging gifts of sweets will make it the merriest of days
In German homes, Advent calendars displayed every year
Eating sweet fruit bread, exchanging gifts with those near
Spain holds special Midnight Mass throughout its vast land
Walking the streets on Christmas Eve, with torches in hand
French homes decorated with Christ’s Nativity, sharing its light
Burning in fireplaces, cherry wood Yule logs illuminate so bright
Old Man Christmas—Romania’s Father Christmas—Santa’s tagline
Singing beloved Christmas carols, blessed children’s voices shine
November and December fill Danish life with parties and more
Receiving presents, every Advent Sunday offers much in store
St. Nicholas drops in on expectant children in Ukrainian towns
Singing on the streets, Christmas carols remove sad frowns
Naples creates most magnificent Nativity scenes of all-time
Savoring Italian Christmas cake and hot chocolate, so fine
Many British homes adorn and trim two Christmas trees
Decorating with plenty of holly, ivy, and mistletoe to see
America’s European ancestors brought much to this land
Celebrating Christmas with traditions, enduring and grand
From Isaiah 40:3-5: “A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.'”
Earth filled with gloom and doom
Sinful and fallen race
World empty of joy’s light
Love transforms from God’s grace
Love comes from the Father
Love bringing God to earth
Love for our salvation
Love born in His Son’s birth
Angels proclaim great news
Majestic, glorious
Never-ending peace sent
God’s love victorious
Christ delivers God’s love
Replacing life’s darkness
Silence and confusion
Overcoming starkness
Compassion sharing hope
Shepherd gathers His lambs
Lighting the world with love
Grace breaking sin-filled dams
Sunrise leads to Jesus
His Kingdom never ends
Rejoice in His Glory
Rising Son’s love now mends
From Ezekiel 34:15-16: “I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.”
This final poem completes the series posted on each Sunday during Advent. If you missed any of the previous Advent-inspired poems, here are the links:
From Matthew 14:22-24: “Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.”
Life’s storms intensify
Overcoming with fear
Facing each hostile sea
Darkness, nothing seems clear
Spiritual squalls come
Turning world upside down
Battered by strongest gales
Fearing each wave’s knockdown
Christ’s love intercedes
Praying hands, clay’s potter
Mountains to heavens
Walking on calm water
Jesus never leaves us
Storms quietly subside
His blessed protection
Lasting, sovereign guide
Fear not, faith’s spark ablaze
Christ’s true light boldly seeds
Following Son of God
Hope ripens from His deeds
From Matthew 14:25-27: “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”
Microwave blows out
Houston, where’s our hot pockets?
Hungry astronauts
Impassable roads
Remember the ice outside—
Putting on ice skates
Nursing home “Rec Night”
Dancing through the starry night—
Golden oldies night
This poem is dedicated to the many lives which have come and gone along the tracks of the Great Northern Railroad from years ago. Perhaps you can feel the living spirit still riding the Empire Builder passenger train across the Hi-Line of Montana.
Feeling a bit like heaven
Blessed Big Sky, almost home
Paradise spelled as two words
Riding free, spirit’s train roams
Scanning God’s creative touch
Mountains shaped by nature’s hand
Valleys carved out by rivers
Dreaming of this treasured land
Stirring up past memories
Iron horse roaring at top speed
Long ago, been here before
Coming home, spirits now freed
Flashing by Hi-Line’s vast farms
Cropland caresses these tracks
Golden fields of wheat ripen
Waiting for harvest’s comeback
Fading daylight turns to night
Darkness covers Montana’s peace
Town lights twinkle here and there
Thinking back to life’s past lease
Climbing through Marias Pass
Glacier Park saying good-bye
Big Sky’s wonder never fades
Ageless spirit, dropping by
From Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
Living without faith
Never pleasing to God
Scripture grows musty
Seeing life as a fraud
Lacking true knowledge
Missing God’s living Word
Whole heart feels empty
Running with the wrong herd
Callous attitude
Faith absent, lonesome walk
Mind unbelieving
AWOL from Shepherd’s flock
Holy Trinity
Faith’s long forgotten light
Father, Son, Spirit
Blessed angels take flight
From Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.”
TV land update
“Big Brother” resumes taping—
Renamed “Quarantined”
Monday morning class
Readin’, Ritin’, Rithmetic—
At home, nothing new!
Traveling back home
Nothing beats Mom’s home cooking—
Filled with warmest love
This faith-based poem was written in October, 2019, and it was inspired from reading James 1:22-24: “But be doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who deceive of themselves. For if any are hearers of the Word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like.”
Actions speak loudest for ourselves
Walking in a Christ-like manner
Be a doer of God’s Word
God builds with a benevolent hammer
God calls upon each of us
Acting in faithfulness each day
Be a doer of God’s way
He always knows what to say
Being responsible with life’s rewards
Witnessing God’s work on this earth
Be a doer of God’s Word
Docking our ship at God’s berth
Our blessed Lord sends His harvest
Leaving us with a bountiful taste
Be a doer of God’s Word
Listening with intent, never in haste
Reading the Holy Ten Commandments
God declares all that is good
Be a doer of God’s Word
Now following all that we should
From Luke 2:10-11: “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.'”
Holy anticipation fills nightfall’s air
Preparing hearts, prophets’ promises fulfilled
Experiencing moments of boundless joy
Heavenly Father’s love, sharing grace to build
With life’s struggles, faith deepens in reflection
Celebrating the Messiah’s coming birth
Singing with host of angels, hearts fill with joy
Hope and peace, descending from heaven to earth
From above comes Immanuel, God with us
Lighting His way, never ceasing to cherish
Witnessing life’s true meaning, rejoice in joy
Love rekindles earth’s lamp, never to perish
Brightest stars illuminate earth’s darkest times
Fulfilling salvation’s journey, God’s love brings
Lighting Shepherd’s candle, delivering joy
Angelic hosannas, forever shall sing
From Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”
