Tag Archives: hope

Peace Awakened

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From Luke 2:6-7:  “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.”

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Echoes ring with “Merry Christmas”

To everyone and all

Filled with goodwill’s peace

Witness in each joy-filled call

 

Deck every hall with love so rich

Each generation shall praise

Gifts of hope opened

Light from Bethlehem ablaze

 

World no longer suffers darkness

Humble manger shares love

Beneath heavens’ stars

Christ-child descends from above

 

Dreams of promised peace awakened

Gratitude filled with joy

Faithful kneel to pray

Each shepherd set to deploy

 

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From Luke 2:14:  “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors.”

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.”

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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

 

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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.

Hope Descends (Elfchen Series #231)

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Healing

Light

Overcoming darkness

No longer hurting

Binding up each wound

Jesus

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Guiding

Landscape’s

Gentle breeze

Spirit’s encouraging breath

Trusting each righteous whisper

Peace

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Leading

Sunrise

Trust always

Calming journey’s storms

Navigation welcomes God’s steering

Deliverance

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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.

Henri Nouwen Quote

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The spiritual life is a life beyond moods.  It is a life in which we choose joy and do not allow ourselves to become victims of passing feelings of happiness or depression.

From Philippians 4:4:  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice“

Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.

Directing Our Best

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From Psalm 118:1:  “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!”

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Giving thanks, praising Father

His enduring, steadfast love

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Embracing grace from above

 

Kneeling in daily prayer

Father listens with patience

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Transforming our impatience

 

Taking refuge with Father

His righteousness leads forthwith

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Overcoming evil’s myth

 

Surrounding witness of light

Father blazes road ahead

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Nourishing with daily bread

 

Grasping wisdom of Father

Skies no longer full of gray

Faith today, hope tomorrow

Directing our best, His way

 

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From Psalm 118:24:  “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Joyce Meyer Quote

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Patience is not simply the ability to wait–it’s “how” we behave while we’re waiting.

From Romans 12:12:  “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. “

Joyce Meyer (born 1943) is an American Christian author and speaker.  

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

 

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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.

Frederick Buechner Quote

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For outlandish creatures like us, on our way to a heart, a brain, and courage, Bethlehem is not the end of our journey but only the beginning–not home but the place through which we must pass if ever we are to reach home at last.

From Luke 2:13-14:  “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!'”

Frederick Buechner (1926-2022) was an American pastor, Christian theologian, and author.  His writings were published in 39 books, which included several different genres.

Another Bridge

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Clouds of change fill morning’s sky

Hidden in frozen crystal ball

What will tomorrow bring?

Many questions wait to free fall

 

Transformation rides each wind

Hidden story’s unwritten thread

Others forecast gloom and doom

Some say, better times ahead

 

Harmony fills every thought

Hidden in history’s playbook

Another bridge, not too far

Truth discovers faithful nook

 

Joyful peace, flowing with hope

Hidden anthem’s spirited choice

Rodeo’s last mount to ride

Countless answers offer voice

 

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Father’s Caring Breath

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From 1 Peter 5:6-7:  “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

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Our world will sometimes

Turn upside down

Filled with anxiety

Peace faces meltdown

 

Life’s heavy anchors

Worry weighs down

Sinking ever deeper

Hope lifts at sundown

 

Father sees darkness

Brings forth His grace

Therefore, humble ourselves

Peace comes to embrace

 

Father’s mercy beams

Light’s bold outlook

Always caring for us

Hope’s warming chinook

 

Father’s caring breath

Calls us to cast

Every despondent thought

Faith always steadfast

 

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From Psalm 94:19:  “When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.”