Tag Archives: advent

Love Unfolds (Fourth Sunday of Advent)

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From Psalm 80:3:  “Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From highest heavens

Father’s love descends

Destiny of hope

Bringing light, darkness bends

 

Witnessed from above

Father’s love restores

Salvation’s light waits

Rising tides come ashore

 

Aligned with David

Father’s love defines

Gospel breathes through One

Restoring light divine

 

Filled with angel’s joy

Father’s love unfolds

Prophecy fulfilled

Embracing light so bold

 

Virgin carries child

Father’s love reframes

Emmanuel’s light

Bearing peace in His name

 

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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.'”

One of the most stirring of hymns during Advent is “What Child is This.”  The lyrics were composed by English hymn writer, William Chatterton Dix, in 1865.  The melody follows the familiar tune of “Greensleeves.”  Here is American singer, Vikki Carr, sharing her interpretation of this beloved song.

Advent’s Journey

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From Luke 1:46-47:  “And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.'”

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Advent’s journey

Following Savior’s star

Walking toward Bethlehem

Nurturing hope from afar

 

Advent’s patience

Sowing fresh seeds of hope

Harvesting heavenly peace

Grasping eternity’s rope

 

Advent’s witness

Wrapping faith in God’s Word

Waiting for hope to be born

Seeing prophecy unblurred

 

Advent’s treasures

Rising without fanfare

Revealing Messiah’s hope

Answering every prayer

 

Advent’s cleansing

Leaving darkness for light

Replacing man’s sins with hope

Raising redemption forthright

 

Advent’s glory

Sharing from hope above

Bearing world’s ultimate joy

Believing in Father’s love

 

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From Luke 1:54-55:  [Mary continues speaking] “‘He has come to the aid of His child Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, according to the promise He made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.'”

Spirit of Joy (Third Sunday of Advent)

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From Isaiah 35:10:  “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

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God hears cries of anguish

Transmitting hope from above

Heaven’s spirit of joy

Assigning Bethlehem’s love

 

Out of darkness, light comes

Raising everlasting peace

Filled with harmony’s joy

Granting New Covenant’s lease

 

Patience fills righteous hearts

Waiting, Savior shall arise

His birth will bring great joy

Shepherding salvation’s prize

 

Virgin filled with Spirit

Bearing Father’s only Son

Grace reaches out with joy

Praising all that will be done

 

Prophecy’s truthful sight

Sharing Father’s divine plan

Hearts nourished with His joy

Kneeling before Son of Man

 

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From Psalm 146:8-9:  “The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.  The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.  The Lord watches over the strangers; He upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked He brings to ruin.”

Beacon of Peace (Second Sunday of Advent)

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From Romans 15:12-13:  “And again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the gentiles; in him the gentiles shall hope.’  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Longing for inner peace

Patience fills every heart

Shepherds wonder this night

Spirit’s goodness imparts

 

Viewing Bethlehem’s peace

Mercy nestled with love

Deliverance of light

Precious to God above

 

Raising harmony’s peace

Root of Jesse shall bring

Spring of living waters

Hope abounds, joy will sing

 

Hearing God’s voice of peace

Salvation’s breath of light

Messiah’s truth to come

Angels now taking flight

 

Shining beacon of peace

Heaven’s intent descends

Hope wakens in stable

Love invites joy, God sends

 

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From Psalm 72:12-13:  “For He delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.  He has pity on the weak and the needy and saves the lives of the needy.”

Transformed Hope (First Sunday of Advent)

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From Isaiah 2:3:  “Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths.’  For out of Zion shall go forth instruction and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

Photo by Being.the.traveller on Pexels.com

Seeking Father’s assurance

Darkness shall be overcome

Out of Zion, transformed hope

Embracing every breadcrumb

 

Praising every breath of grace

From root of Jesse will come

Messiah’s renewing hope

Rising to heavenly drum

 

Standing outside Bethlehem

Jerusalem shares her peace

Unity backed up with hope

Cradling redemption’s release

 

Waking to heavenly joy

Forces of darkness now quake

Manger caresses new hope

Witnessing Savior awake

 

Remaining always watchful

Shepherds innocently wait

Love piercing night sky with hope

Trusting in salvation’s fate

 

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From Romans 15:12-13:  “And again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the gentiles; in Him the gentiles shall hope.’  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

The popular hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” has been a favorite of past Advent seasons.  The original hymn can found in the music of monastic life over 1,200 years ago.  The English version was translated in 1851 by John Mason Neale, who was an English Anglican priest and hymn writer.

Guest Advent Poem: A Special Gift

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From Isaiah 7:14:  “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.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

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 the glitter,

of Santa’s presents bright . . .

. . . perhaps you need to know.

Just turn from what the world sees,

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!

Courtesy of Pinterest.

These scenes are captured by my wife, Colleen.  The poem is featured in BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART, her Christian and family themed book.  The book features stories, devotions, and poetry for adults and teens.  Hands-on activities and delightful songs are included for families with young children.  God’s love is the guiding light throughout the book’s pages.

Jan L. Richardson Quote

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Courtesy of Pinterest.

The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before.  What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you.  And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God’s [back] fade in the distance.  So stay.  Sit.  Linger.  Tarry.  Ponder.  Wait. Behold.  Wonder.  There will be time enough for running.  For rushing.  For worrying.  For pushing.  For now, stay.  Wait.  Something is on the horizon.

From Isaiah 9:6-7:  “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.  Great will be His authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom.  He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

Jan L. Richardson (born 1967) is an American writer, artist, and ordained minister.  Her reflections come from her Night Visions:  Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas.

Love’s Transforming Scope (Fourth Sunday of Advent)

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From Isaiah 7:14:  “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.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

God’s plan of redemption

Viewed through love’s transforming scope

Faithful virgin shall bear His Son

Fulfilling flame of eternal hope

 

God’s warm heart offers love

Promised Prince at Heaven’s gate

Empty darkness shall fill with joy

Breathing from cold, humble stable’s fate

 

God’s peace nurtures man’s trust

Filled with mercy’s lasting grace

Sacred Word witnessed in Son’s flesh

Living waters share love to embrace

 

God’s creation speaks truth

Blessed news fills shepherds’ ears

Advent’s greatest virtue breathes love

Silencing night, morning’s sun appears

 

Light born in Bethlehem

Delivered hope sharing peace

Angels’ unbelievable joy

Praising Savior’s love, shall never cease

 

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.

The final hymn of this Advent series comes from the inspiration of American pastor and Christian writer Phillips Brooks.  Recalling his 1865 trip to Bethlehem, he wrote the lyrics for “O Little Town of Bethlehem” in 1868.

Overflowing with Joy (Third Sunday of Advent)

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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.”

Photo by Dhivakaran S on Pexels.com

Waiting hope, in darkness

World absent of peace

When will joy truly arrive?

Faith’s brokenness must cease

 

Trusting God without fear

His comfort coming

Joy draws salvation’s water

Messiah forthcoming

 

Leading to Bethlehem

Hope shall be restored

Peace overflowing with joy

Heaven’s angels onboard

 

Praising with humble hearts

God’s gentleness seeks

Joy’s rejoicing voices sing

Shepherd’s emotions speak

 

Proclaiming hope’s presence

Repentance brings peace

Faith’s witness fills lungs with joy

Love opens heaven’s lease

 

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From Isaiah 12:5-6:  “Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.  Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

An Advent hymn accompanies this poem, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.”  This traditional English carol was first discovered in an anonymous manuscript in the 1650s.  

Peace Upon Earth (Second Sunday of Advent)

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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.”

World’s hopeful emotions

Searching for inner peace

In midst of life’s struggles

When will this darkness cease?

 

Peace waits for Messiah

Unlocking hopeful light

Goodwill comes upon man

Bethlehem’s star beams bright

 

Hope fills faithful journey

Waiting for Father’s Son

Shall be called Prince of Peace

Darkness cannot outrun

 

Through precious, promised child

Blessing all with His peace

Emmanuel comes near

Hope renewed through faith’s lease

 

Father’s steadfast vision

Sending peace upon earth

Man called to trust His plan

Wilderness finds hope’s berth

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

This poem’s hymn selection comes from “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.”  Finding inspiration from Luke 2:14, American pastor, Edmund H. Sears, wrote these beloved lyrics in 1849.