Watch Out: Christmas Is Almost Here! (Special Guest Post)

Watch out:

The word of the world; yes it has much to say . . .

. . . You have planning, and shopping, and shopping some more.

Then comes cooking, and wrapping and baking galore.

It’s a hustle and bustle that grows every day.

The snowball grows larger and rolls where it may.

You just can’t stop it, so watch out . . .

GET OUT OF THE WAY!

Watch out:

The word of the Lord, yes it has much to say . . .

. . . Rest your body and spirit, and then rest in me.

There’s a reason and meaning, a meaning to see.

It’s not parties or Santa behind that one day.

Go slowly and stop now, the star leads the way.

Some may have missed it, so watch out . . .

HE SLEPT ON THE HAY!

Such a small gift; so humble and so dear.

Could you possibly give it?

Could you be that bold?

Such a rich gift; so special and so near.

Could you possibly share it?

Could the truth be told?

Watch out:

The word of your life, yes it has much to say . . .

. . . Wrap the gift of the baby who brought us God’s grace.

Give His love to the world and to all you embrace.

Tell the world that this baby grew to be the way.

Go slowly and stop now, to hear Jesus say.

Don’t let them miss it, so watch out . . .

MY CROSS WAS THE WAY!

Watch out:

The word of the world; yes it has much to say . . .

. . . Still the word of your life can be of much more worth.

If you share with the world to celebrate His birth

Tell the world it’s not Santa, but Jesus who says.

Go slowly and stop now at my cross today.

Salvation is there, accept it . . .

I LOVE YOU ALWAYS!

Such a small gift; so humble and so dear.

Could you possibly give it?

Could you be that bold?

Such a rich gift; so special and so near.

Could you possibly share it?

Could the truth be told?

(All photos courtesy of Pinterest.)

This guest poem is written by the real Mrs. Buckeye.  My wife, Colleen, is the author, and this poem will be included in her upcoming book, Bits ‘n’ Pieces of My Heart.  The book is written for young families, and it will include devotions, poetry, short stories, and activities.  She expects to publish it sometime in 2024.

Wintertime Tapestry (Haiku Series #258)

Novel Bliss

Book’s invitation

Surrounded by winter storm—

Staying cozy warm

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Winter Choreography

Falling snow’s ballet

Flakes fluttering with each twist—

Dancing in child’s eyes

Photo by Todd Trapani on Pexels.com

Frolicking Children

Snow’s “welcome back” tune

Playing and giggling outside—

Touched by every flake

Photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels.com

Monday Memories: Never Alone

I keep a daily journal of “take-aways” from my devotional readings.  This poem was crafted from some of my February entries.

sea beach footprint steps

Photo by Jaymantri on Pexels.com

Sitting alone and hopeless

Faith’s shadow, covered in rust

God awakens mind and soul

In His Spirit, words bring trust

 

Turning to God, always there

His footprints walking ahead

Through life’s hefty challenges

Our Lord brings our daily bread

 

Reading from His Holy Word

Always giving thanks and praise

Marvelous things, God has done

Our hope alive and ablaze

 

Growing in faith, from our woes

Therefore, pray . . . listen . . . follow

Righteous life following Christ

Savior’s hope, never hollow

 

Facing temptation each day

Alignment with Son of God

Blood and body shed for us

Boldly fleeing evil’s fraud

brown and silver cross table decor

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From Galatians 6:1-2:  “My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.  Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.  Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Originally published May, 2020.

Bethlehem’s Joy (Third Sunday of Advent)

From Philippians 4:4-6:  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let your gentleness be known to everyone.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Offering God’s promises

Distant joy asking, who’s yet to come?

Echoing in wilderness

Voices no longer numb

 

Faithful witnesses of peace

Salvation’s Messiah now descends

Mercy’s joy-filled tenderness

Lasting goodness shall extend

 

Holy Spirit rejoices

Promised deliverance emerges

Virgin’s heart flowing with love

Angels praise as joy surges

 

Rejoice always, now rejoice

Eternity’s spring of love endures

Mankind’s hope shall be transformed

Filling joy from grace, so pure

 

Each believer investing

Ripples of God’s blessed love invite

Messiah opening gates

Outlook’s joy forever bright

 

Bethlehem’s joy in shining star

Gentleness in spirit, blessings come

Long-awaited Prince of Peace

Each knee bends, to heaven’s drum

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Advent Prayer:  Heavenly Father,  as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son.  Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas:  hope, peace, joy, and love.  Amen.

German hymnwriter, Laurentius Laurenti (1660-1722), wrote a reverent hymn which works well with the expectations of the Advent season, but it also looks ahead to the return of Jesus Christ.  Here is “Rejoice!  Rejoice Believers.”

Faithful Discipline (Elfchen Series #181)

Teaching

Clear

Path ahead

Father’s guiding light

Spirit’s daily, quiet intervention

Conscience

Photo by Joaquin Carfagna on Pexels.com

Justifying

Righteous

Fatherly lessons

Understanding, character counts

Faith’s season of grace

Integrity

Photo by Brett Jordan on Pexels.com

Acquiring

Experience

Father’s goodness

Backed with love

Endurance, walking with peace

Self-control

Photo by Ono Kosuki on Pexels.com

Christmas Dreams

Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

Nestling with Christmas warmth

Dreaming of winter’s snow

Gliding down peaceful slopes

Beside lofty chateau

 

Sleeping with cherished peace

Hearing each silver bell

Waiting expectations

Mystery’s carousel

 

Ringing red kettle’s bell

Giving from grateful heart

Letting go of some cash

Someone’s life will restart

 

Quickening steps now stop

Finding one final gift

Sharing love with others

Purchase completes this shift

 

Gazing into night’s sky

Drifting, tiny snowflake

Inviting even more

Ground swells from snowy quake

 

Blessing midnight’s entrance

Painting whitest landscape

Witnessing lighted tree

Christmas dreams taking shape

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

The Christmas season can mean different things to many people, but residing in its heart just might be these words as written by American Congressman William Carey Jones (1855-1927):  “The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each other’s burdens, easing others’ loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas.”

Seasoned with Salt

From Colossians 4:5-6:  “Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.”

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Words, each matter

Jesus leading

Seasoned with salt

Prayer feeding

 

Words filled with peace

Jesus imparts

Seasoned with grace

Mercy fills heart

 

Words magnify

Jesus’ teachings

Seasoned with love

Change far-reaching

 

Words quieting

Jesus transforms

Seasoned with faith

Now empty storms

 

Words share wisdom

Jesus’ sixth sense

Seasoned with truth

Gospel’s defense

 

Words new pathway

Jesus affirms

Seasoned with salt

Goodness confirms

 

Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com

From Luke 6:45:  “The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil, for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.”

Subtle Glances (Haiku Series #257)

Fine Tuning

London’s pause in time

Laboring around the clock—

Resetting Big Ben

Photo by Chris on Pexels.com

Lifelong Restoration

Wandering nowhere

Years of thoughtful rebuilding—

Now going somewhere

Photo by Gije Cho on Pexels.com

Show Must Go On

Performance delayed

Searching for absent cello—

Airline’s missing case

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Monday Memories: Choices Through Faith

From the words of American pastor and Christian evangelist, Vance Havner:  “Life is a series of choices between the bad, the good, and the best.  Everything depends on how we choose.”

action adventure challenge climb

Photo by Martin on Pexels.com

Our daily walk encounters many tests

Life’s decisions shall never be easy

Facing a series of heartfelt choices

Sometimes feeling so alone and uneasy

 

Quality decisions lead life forward

God’s Word and righteousness always shining

Making choices, pleasing to our Father

Our Lord’s love, His sacred silver lining

 

God chooses our Savior—His Holy Son

Jesus becomes our faithful source of life

Bringing lasting redemption to ourselves

Hope-filled Cross saving the foolish from strife

 

Our Father calls many, few are chosen

His chosen, precious cornerstone—Jesus

Believing in Him, never put to shame

Living by faith through our Lord, who frees us

 

Jesus chooses us in His Father’s name

Days ahead offer bounties of treasures

Following His love and wealth of teachings

Therefore, bear lasting fruit through His measures

person sitting on mountain cliff

Photo by Marius Venter on Pexels.com

From 2 Corinthians 5:6-7:  “So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord–for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Originally published May, 2020.

Peace Transcending (Second Sunday of Advent)

From Luke 2:13-14:  “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors!'”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Appearing to shepherds

Waiting near Bethlehem

Angels rekindle hope

Peace transforms world’s mayhem

 

Fulfilling promises

Trusting heavenly light

Hope overflows from grace

Peace shall be born this night

 

Vanquishing world’s darkness

Opening mankind’s eyes

Faith nurtured with new hope

Peace becoming lie-size

 

Favoring with goodness

Leveling each mountain

Hope sharing blessed gift

Peace fills mercy’s fountain

 

Blessing with grateful joy

Praising from high above

Savior’s birth bearing hope

Peace transcending with love

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Advent Prayer:  Heavenly Father,  as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son.  Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas:  hope, peace, joy, and love.  Amen.

As we leave to go on with the rest of our day or night, here is an Advent hymn to send us out with reverent hearts filled with hopeful peace, “Watchman, Tell Us of the Night.”