Hope’s
Silent night
Beneath Bethlehem’s star
Witnessing Messiah’s promised birth
Peace
Faith’s
Fulfilling testament
Humble shepherds witness
Prince of Peace born
Hallelujah!
Joy’s
Angelic chorus
Scaling every mountain
Witness grace flowing upstream
Love
A harsh Arctic weather system had pummeled the community, leaving it to endure the coldest winter night in recent memory.
Trudging through drifts of snow, a young man braced against the freezing wind and cold. He was only dressed in a few thin layers of clothing, topped off with a faded and tattered hoodie from his college days.
Hopelessness had left him waiting for life’s next train. Whenever it might arrive would be anyone’s guess. His hand touched the few dollars hiding in his jeans’ pocket.
Looking all about, he realized that he needed to find even the barest of shelter on this coldest and most silent of nights. Coming around a corner, his eyes caught a glimpse of a small church.
Situated in the small yard in front of the church was a nativity scene. The young man surveyed the yard and discovered that the stable’s construction made for an adequate shelter.
Slipping in between the figures of Mary, Joseph, and some shepherds, he found straw that would provide a dry mattress, and the wind could not penetrate the outer walls.
Tumbling down into the piles of straw, he nestled next to a manger. He had barely noticed the setting around his makeshift bed. Falling quickly to sleep, his mind began to dream with the help of the warm, dry stable.
As he slept, the stillness of the night came upon the midnight clear. Choirs of angels could be heard in the heavens, proclaiming the birth of the Messiah. Shepherds gathered to witness the arrival of God’s promised Son.
The young man continued to dream and sleep. He had not really rested for over two days.
Morning arrived, and the sun was breaking through the few remaining clouds. The young man stirred from his warm, overnight journey of dreams. He realized that he was covered with a thick sleeping bag. Next to him waited a thermos of hot coffee and a lunchbox of sandwiches.
Turning the sleeping bag into an improvised tent among the nativity characters, he felt the warmest of joy. He sat up to drink the hot coffee and ate some of the food. Peace was backfilling his empty heart. Inside the lunchbox was an envelope with a note.
The note read:
I found you soundly sleeping here last night. I didn’t want to wake you on this most special of nights. I saw that you could use a grace-filled hand from My Father. I covered you up with the sleeping bag and left you some coffee and food. I will be with you always.
Suddenly, the young man realized that he had been blessed in ways he had never imagined. His faith had rediscovered hope. He found the love of his Savior on this warmest Christmas night.
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.
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
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.”
Christmas enters, streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope and singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.
Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.
Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it white.
We are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.
Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home.
Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.
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.”
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
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.”
This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing. You are invited to participate with the opening 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)
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!
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.”
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.
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.”
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).
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.
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.
They were the same man–Grover Cleveland, the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms.
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.”
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
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.”
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.
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!
From 2 Corinthians 9:15: “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
As Grandpa’s pick-up truck drove into the Gallatin National Forest, Lydia continued to remind him of Grandma’s instructions. Grandma expected them to return home with the most perfect Douglas fir tree for Christmas.
Seven-year old Lydia was excited to make her first trip into the forest to pick out a Christmas tree. Both she and Grandpa were dressed warmly in layers of outer clothing, snow boots, and stocking hats. The early December day was going to be snowy and cold.
Lydia’s family always used an artificial Christmas tree, which was better described by Grandma as a “fake” tree. Her eyes were filled with so much excitement, and her smile reminded Grandpa of the blessing of spending time with his beloved granddaughter.
With the tree permit in hand, Grandpa knew just the right place to find a tree in a dense grove of smaller to medium-sized trees. Grandma had sent along a delicious lunch of sandwiches and hot chocolate.
Upon finding their destination, Grandpa parked the truck along the road. The two of them would have to hike into the forest for about a mile or two.
Eventually their search found the special grove of trees. Lydia’s expression was priceless as she witnessed her first look at “real” Christmas trees.
Grandpa gave Lydia her final instructions. She needed to pick out a seven-footer, according to Grandma’s expectations. After about 20 minutes, she found just the right tree. Grandpa checked the measurements of the tree, and he was sure it would fit in the living room back home.
Crawling under the Douglas fir with his tree saw, Grandpa began to carefully cut the tree away from the frozen ground. He made certain to leave a short stump of less than six inches, just as the Forest Service expected him to do.
With Lydia’s help, they tied up the tree on a small sled that they’d brought. Now they could easily transport the tree back to the waiting pick-up truck.
Sitting in the warm cab of the truck, Lydia and Grandpa enjoyed some tasty sandwiches with hot chocolate. Their laughter and conversation kept them warm as well.
Soon it was time to drive back home with their treasured tree for Christmas. Lydia took a nap along the way, but she woke-up when Grandpa pulled the pick-up into the driveway.
Grandma stepped outside to see how the two tree hunters had made out. She called to Lydia, “How did you do?”
Beaming with her warmest smile ever, Lydia ran and hugged her, “We found the most perfect tree. Anything for Grandma!”
Big Sky Buckeye 