Greatest Love Story

From Genesis 1:1-5:  “When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.  Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.  And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night.  And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”

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Scripture’s Holy verses

Breathing with His sacred love

Even before Creation acts

Father’s grace looks down from above

 

Planet’s vast emptiness

Moving from darkness to light

Eternity wakens with love

Father’s mercy always in flight

 

Favored, luscious garden

Inviting twosome to walk

Sinfulness spreading life’s darkness

Yet, Father’s love becomes faith’s rock

 

Harsh wilderness called home

Searching for His promised land

Israel waiting in exile

Father’s love forges plan so grand

 

Divine patience shares gift

Choosing Bethlehem stable

Greatest love story now proclaimed

Father’s peace sets Heaven’s table

Courtesy of Pinterst.

From 1 John 4:9-12:  “God’s love was revealed among us in this way:  God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.”

John Newton Quote

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Jesus did not tell parables to confirm well-known truths, but rather to shatter well-known truths.

From John 8:31-32:  “Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'”

John Newton (1725-1807) was an English pastor who also was a writer of several hymns, including the beloved “Amazing Grace.”  His early life is filled with contrasts, when compared to his later life.  He served as a ship’s captain during the slave trade, but later renounced his work after his conversion to Christianity.  He became an outspoken opponent of the slave trade later in his life.

“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!

Trivia’s Facts and More (12/24)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

The 22nd and 24th U.S. President had the same parents, but they were not brothers.  How could this be?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Today’s post features six of my favorite Christmas movies.  They will be listed in chronological order from the oldest to the most recent.  If you feel like sharing your favorite Christmas movie, please leave a comment for other readers to see.  Merry Christmas!

“It’s a Wonderful Life”  (1946)

Starring:  James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore

An angel was summoned to save George Bailey, a frustrated businessman.  The director was Frank Capra, and this film was one of his favorites.  The screenplay was based upon a short story, “The Greatest Gift.”

“Miracle on 34th Street”  (1947)

Starring:  Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne

The setting was New York City, and Macy’s Department Store became the center of much of the film’s story.  A very young Natalie Wood played the six year-old daughter.  Of course, Santa stole the show in the end.  

“Holiday Affair”  (1949)

Starring:  Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Corey

This romantic-comedy followed the life of a young widow and her son as she must choose between her “boring” attorney and a down on his luck vagabond.  The screenplay was based upon the story, “Christmas Gift.”

“White Christmas”  (1954)

Starring:  Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen

A successful song and dance duo assisted two sisters in saving a failing Vermont Inn as Christmas approaches without any snow on the ground.  Bing Crosby sang the classic Irving Berlin song of “White Christmas” as the film’s finale, but he had previously sung the song in two other films:  “Holiday Inn” (1942) and “Blue Skies” (1946).

“A Charlie Brown Christmas”  (1965)

This made for TV movie was the first attempt of cartoonist George Schulz to bring his characters to life on the silver screen.  Most of the children’s voices were those of real children.  

“The Christmas Card”  (2006)

Starring:  Ed Asner, John Newton, Alice Evans, Lois Nettleton

This modern-day Hallmark movie brought an American soldier to a small town, guided by an inspirational Christmas card.  The movie was filmed on location in Nevada City, California and Park City, Utah.  

Below are single images from each film (courtesy of Pinterest).  Starting from the left and going clockwise:  Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart, Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood, Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum, Bing Crosby joined by Rosemary Clooney with Vera-Ellen and Danny Kaye, the Peanuts cast, and John Newton and Ed Asner.

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

They were the same man–Grover Cleveland, the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms.

George Lopez Quotes

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Laughter survives . . . it has to survive.

No particular race is the enemy.  Ignorance is the enemy.

George Lopez (born 1961) is an American comedian and actor, who has starred in several situation comedies for television as well as doing stand-up comedy.

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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Eugene Peterson Quote

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You’re here to be LIGHT . . . Shine!  Be generous with your lives.

From Matthew 5:16:  “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Eugene Peterson (1932-2018) was an American pastor, theologian, and Christian author.

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.”

Charles Stanley Quote

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Even though our culture looks very dark, Christ can use your light to show someone the way to Jesus.

From 1 Peter 3:12:  “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer.”

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!”