Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Love’s Promised Peace (Fourth Sunday of Advent)

Posted on December 18, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

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

**Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com**

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

Advent’s Journey (Elfchen Series #131)

Posted on December 16, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

Prophetic

Trust

God’s promises

His actions awaken

Life’s wilderness shall blossom

Hope

Witness

Hope

For Savior

God’s desires fulfilled

Bethlehem stable’s Holy ground

Peace

Receive

Peace

Father’s gift

Lying in manger

Emmanuel, God with us

Joy

Illuminating

Joy

Angels proclaim

Humble shepherds attest

Christ comes to save

Love

**Photo by ONYEKACHI IBEKWE on Pexels.com**

Joy’s Game Changer (Third Sunday of Advent)

Posted on December 11, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

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.”

Facing constant waves

Overwhelming despair

Father seeking to save

Eternal grace cares

Bethlehem manger

Looking beyond today

Savior, joy’s game changer

Mercy’s light conveys

Hope breathes, Son of Man

King of Kings, Prince of Peace

God opens His divine plan

Joy’s new centerpiece

Angels’ choir deploys

Always singing above

Reflections full of joy

Peace filling with love

Scaling highest slopes

Locating lasting peace

Rebuilding life’s new hope

Joy shall never cease

Peace restored, anew

Joy’s steady, beating drum

Tomorrow’s hope accrues

Salvation to come

With lyrics composed by renowned English hymn writer, Issac Watts, “Joy to the World” has become the most published Christmas hymn in North America. These verses were penned in 1719, and they share an interpretation from Psalm 98. In this Advent season, the hymn holds a special place with its emphasis on the joy we have been patiently waiting for.

Peace Yet to Come (Second Sunday of Advent)

Posted on December 4, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

From Micah 5:3-5: “Therefore He shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of His kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they shall live secure, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth, and He shall be the one of peace.”

**Photo by Daniel Coello on Pexels.com**

From root of Jesse

Rises spirit of man’s hope

Filling believers with peace

Climbing up faith’s slope

Called to one body

Newborn King shall share His peace

Extending bridges to God

Writing hope’s new lease

As children of God

Blessed be His peacemakers

Filled with Father’s righteous peace

Hope’s new groundbreakers

Future hope muffled

Reconciled through Father’s grace

Reclaiming merciful peace

Bethlehem’s birthplace

Hope’s light filled with peace

Easing burdens of others

Shattering sinful darkness

For every brother

Creation’s spirit

Promise of restoration

Foretaste of peace yet to come

Hope’s new foundation

Another beloved Advent hymn is “What Child is This.” The lyrics were crafted by English hymn writer and poet, William Chatterton Dix, in 1865. In 1871, the tune of a traditional English song, “Greensleeves,” was added to the lyrics. This hymn shares the spirit of peace, forever witnessed in the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Hope’s Homecoming (First Sunday of Advent)

Posted on November 27, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

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.”

**Photo by Arina Krasnikova on Pexels.com**

Awaiting salvation

Praying for His coming

Lord, Savior, Prince of Peace

Crowning hope’s homecoming

Seeking mercy’s refuge

Praying for faith to speak

Rock built with God’s goodness

Boosting hope, small and weak

Sharing God’s depth of love

Praying for grace-filled news

His assurance sows trust

Walking in hope’s new shoes

Inviting our wonder

Praying hearts, blessed with praise

Darkness fades, peace arrives

Lighting hope’s steadfast blaze

**Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com**

One of Advent’s most enduring hymns is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”. The original text was composed in Latin during the 12th century. In 1861, English priest and scholar John Mason Neale translated the lyrics into what many Christian recognize and sing today.

Love’s Arrival (Fourth Sunday in Advent)

Posted on December 19, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

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. His authority shall grow continually, 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.”

Faithful God’s Holy love

Shining from Bethlehem

Blessed virgin gives birth

In world filled with mayhem

Hope springs forth from God’s love

Filling manger with grace

Messiah born this night

Stable now Holy place

Divine love preaches faith

Sharing Lord’s precious gift

Behold man’s salvation

Satan’s plans now adrift

Peace covers earth’s landscape

Sowing eternal love

Savior’s mission begins

Father views from above

Lasting joy now goes forth

Hearing angels singing

Christ’s love, Calvary’s cross

Forgiveness now bringing

You are invited to join in prayer: Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace. During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior. Amen.

Written in 1865 by English hymn writer, William Chatterton Dix, the hymn of “What Child Is This?” is sung by Charlotte Church. The lyrics are based upon the verses from Isaiah 9:6-7, and the tune is “Greensleeves.”

Filled with Joy (Third Sunday of Advent)

Posted on December 12, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Zephaniah 3:14-15: “Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, He has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.”

**Photo by Tobias Bju00f8rkli on Pexels.com**

Looking inward, changing selves

Repenting, reversing course

Searching for life’s cherished peace

Joy spreads from Bethlehem’s source

Reading, praying, reflecting

Preparing our minds and hearts

Beaming starlight in dark times

Joy brightens, world seeks restart

Rejoicing always, Lord is near

Restoring fortunes, Prince of Peace

Renewing tomorrow’s hope

Joy transcends Father’s new lease

Trusting in God’s promises

Waiting with welcoming grace

Singing praises, justice calls

Joy blossoms in this birthplace

Proclaiming mercy-filled peace

Glowing, rising midnight sun

Igniting life’s dormant faith

Joy worships birth of God’s Son

**Photo by Susanne Jutzeler on Pexels.com**

You are invited to join in prayer: Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace. During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior. Amen.

“Joy to the World” is frequently sung during the Advent and Christmas season. Written in 1719 by English minister and hymnwriter, Isaac Watts, this hymn has been a favorite for well over 100 years in North America.

Prepare His Peace (Second Sunday in Advent)

Posted on December 5, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

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.'”

**Photo by Gelgas Airlangga on Pexels.com**

World’s brokenness cries out

Peace sprouts, despite faith’s drought

God’s salvation shares grace

Every time and space

God’s love prepares His way

Light of peace on display

Paths straightened, valleys filled

His promises fulfilled

Anticipation warms

Preparation now forms

Mercy reigns, blessed peace

Endurance shall not cease

Faithful waiting with hope

Love focused through God’s scope

His joy draws up new lease

Spirit breathes, filled with peace

Mothering God prepares

Peace surrounds David’s heirs

Of events now to come

Hope’s steady, beating drum

**Photo by TheWonderOfLife on Pexels.com**

You are invited to join in prayer: Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace. During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior. 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 prepared hearts, “Prepare the way, O Zion.”

Seed of Hope (First Sunday in Advent)

Posted on November 28, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Isaiah 11:1-2: “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”

**Photo by Nicholas Githiri on Pexels.com**

Fragmented prayers lack faith

Hope’s seeds lost, now scattered

World filled with endless despair

Dazed, bruised, and battered

Hope conceived, chosen virgin

God preparing love’s way

Nothing impossible for Him

Holy Spirit holds sway

Bethlehem’s star shines at night

God’s love lights hope’s beacon

Future sparkles from His grace

Mercy never weakens

Heavens prepare peace and joy

Darkness brightens, rejoice!

God plants Holy seed of hope

Angels sing with His choice

Father’s goodness overflows

His everlasting gift

Living water promises

Hope transforms faith’s gearshift

**Photo by Hebert Santos on Pexels.com**

You are invited to join in prayer: Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace. During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior. Amen.

Originally written in Latin during the 8th or 9th century, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a frequently chosen song during the season of Advent.

Love in Christ

Posted on December 20, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

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:

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Prophetic

Witness

Receive

Illuminating

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