Guest Advent Poem: A Special Gift

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.

Sharpening Each Thought

Photo by Plantpool images on Pexels.com

Winter’s fading breath

Discovering light

One final snowflake

Springtime taking flight

 

Winter pushed aside

Taking rest once more

Moved from nature’s shelf

Change coming ashore

 

Time bursting forward

Sharpening each thought

Landscape’s fresh colors

Lessons being taught

 

Young and old smiling

Finding spring abloom

Nature turns its page

Song fills every room

 

Daylight grows longer

Feeling warmth each day

April showers come

May flowers will stay

 

Life’s faithful rhythm

Rising overnight

Harmony fills hearts

Love found at first sight

 

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

Traveling the Distance (Elfchen Series #200)

Joy

Bearing

Virgin Mary

Riding blessed donkey

Birthplace beneath Bethlehem’s star

Messiah

Anguish

Celebration

King’s arrival

Riding blessed donkey

Betrayal, Calvary’s empty darkness

Shattered

Hope

Redemption’s

Victorious grace

Riding blessed donkey

From manger to cross

Savior

All images courtesy of Pinterest.

This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.

Monday Memories: Hallelujah!

From Luke 2:1-7:  “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  All went to their own towns to be registered.  Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.  He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” 

nativity scene christmas decor

Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

Hallelujah!

Angels sing, from heavens above

Glory forever, to a newborn King

Praising Emmanuel, as they sing

 

Hallelujah!

Virgin Mary, mother to this Son

Jesus will be His blessed name

This world, never to be the same

 

Hallelujah!

Born in a bustling hamlet, Bethlehem

Chiseled in history, forever renowned

Baby in a manger, shepherds found

 

Hallelujah!

God with us, in flawless human form

Walking in our steps, we will trust

Witnessing a Cross, our Savior must

 

Hallelujah!

God lifts the veil of His great plan

His Son will bear our bloody sins

Forever, God’s flock will say “Amen”

 

Hallelujah!

All bow, take a bended knee

Praise our Savior in prayer

Darkness leaves, Jesus cares

 

Hallelujah!

God’s divine, sacrificial plan

Jesus comes in person, to save

He overpowers sin and the grave

 

Hallelujah!

Birth of this blessed, Holy child

Peace and joy, we will follow Him

His righteousness, a lasting hymn

backlit cemetery christianity clouds

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com  

Originally published December, 2019.

Knew My Name

From Isaiah 49:1:  “Listen to me, O coastlands; pay attention, you peoples from far away!  The Lord called me before I was born; while I was in my mother’s womb He named me.”

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com

Long before my birth

Father knew my name

Yes, creating me

No one shall be the same

 

Witnessing His grace

Father builds my trust

Day’s resolve strengthens

Righteousness now entrust

 

Providing for needs

Father’s light leads me

Mountains become roads

Future path, clear to see

 

Serving life’s purpose

Father never awed

My green pastures wait

Forever, child of God

 

Praising Savior Christ

My blessed salvation

New life now christened

Father’s creation

 

Photo by Maria Orlova on Pexels.com

From Isaiah 49:13:  “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing!  For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his suffering ones.”

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.”

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.

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels.com

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!

Photo by Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto on Pexels.com

From 2 Corinthians 9:15:  “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

Wondrous Night

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The town wakes up to a new day.  It doesn’t quite seem like any other day.  A tranquil, peaceful night has given way to a quiet sunrise.

Few have heard of the overnight excitement at a nearby stable.  A babe lies wrapped in bands of cloth, and he sleeps in a simple livestock feed box.

Outside of the sleepy town, shepherds watch over their flocks at night.  However, with the rising sun there awakens a buzz among them.  A handful of them have returned from a most magnificent and blessed sight.

Directed by an angelic, heavenly host, these simple men were invited to witness the good news of great joy for all of God’s people.  An angel of the Lord proclaims, “To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

With haste, the band of shepherds swiftly journey into the town.  Their quick pace is filled with overwhelming wonder. 

In arriving at a simple scene, filled with livestock, a husband and wife, and a newborn baby, the shepherds pay their respects to this Prince of Peace . . . Wonderful, Counselor, King of Kings.  Only a loving Father in Heaven could orchestrate such a joyous and lasting moment for the birth of His Son. 

God has heard the distressed cries of His people.  In this eternal moment, He forever reminds mankind that He fulfills His promises.

Later in the morning, a young shepherd boy wonders.  While he didn’t have the opportunity to see the baby in the manger, he has heard all of the other shepherds talking about their amazing experience while they praise God. 

Thinking to himself, the boy quietly asks a couple of questions.  Perhaps God will answer them in his lifetime.

  • What will this young King’s life be like? 
  • How will His coming change the darkness of this world?

He feels astounded and kneels to pray.  As he talks to the Lord, he is in awe of all that he has heard this day.

Hallelujah!

From Luke 2:1-7:  “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  All went to their own towns to be registered.  Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.  He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” 

nativity scene christmas decor

Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

Hallelujah!

Angels sing, from heavens above

Glory forever, to a newborn King

Praising Emmanuel, as they sing

 

Hallelujah!

Virgin Mary, mother to this Son

Jesus will be His blessed name

This world, never to be the same

 

Hallelujah!

Born in a bustling hamlet, Bethlehem

Chiseled in history, forever renowned

Baby in a manger, shepherds found

 

Hallelujah!

God with us, in flawless human form

Walking in our steps, we will trust

Witnessing a Cross, our Savior must

 

Hallelujah!

God lifts the veil of His great plan

His Son will bear our bloody sins

Forever, God’s flock will say “Amen”

 

Hallelujah!

All bow, take a bended knee

Praise our Savior in prayer

Darkness leaves, Jesus cares

 

Hallelujah!

God’s divine, sacrificial plan

Jesus comes in person, to save

He overpowers sin and the grave

 

Hallelujah!

Birth of this blessed, Holy child

Peace and joy, we will follow Him

His righteousness, a lasting hymn

backlit cemetery christianity clouds

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

 

A Daughter Born

 

adorable baby baby feet beautiful

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Anticipating the arrival of a wondrous day

Asking God, “How can this ever be repaid?”

Arriving on an early weekday morn

Witnessing a first daughter born

Experiencing her birth is humbling indeed

Thinking now, there is a little baby to feed

Cradling her in a father’s arms for the first time

Feeling pride swelling deep inside, feels so fine! 

Reaching down again to earth, God sends another child

Filling her father’s heart with love so tender and mild

Receiving this daughter is certainly an amazing gift

Making sure that her new life never goes adrift

Realizing now, after so many years of special love

Thanking God again for a “First Noel” from above