Looking Ahead

From the words of American-born philosopher, Pema Chadron:  “Be kinder to yourself, then let your kindness flood the world.”

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Waiting in life’s shadows, another year

Thinking conscious thoughts, ready to embrace

Setting aside more time for daydreaming

Leading to tomorrow’s energized space

 

Allowing positivity to shine

Sowing today’s seeds, filled with future hope

Reaping lasting harvest of inner peace

Looking ahead through New Year’s vivid scope

 

Finding humor’s lessons in life’s darkness

Focusing on single tasks, without more

Filling each day with heartfelt gifts of joy

Witnessing blessed year, coming ashore

 

Creating reservoirs of lasting light

Passing each on to others taking flight

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Advent’s Journey (Elfchen Series #131)

Prophetic

Trust

God’s promises

His actions awaken

Life’s wilderness shall blossom

Hope

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Witness

Hope

For Savior

God’s desires fulfilled

Bethlehem stable’s Holy ground

Peace

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Receive

Peace

Father’s gift

Lying in manger

Emmanuel, God with us

Joy

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Illuminating

Joy

Angels proclaim

Humble shepherds attest

Christ comes to save

Love

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Joy’s Game Changer (Third Sunday of Advent)

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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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

 

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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.

God with Us (Elfchen Series #130)

Renewing

God’s

Magnificent creation

Praising every sunrise

Worshipping His blessed peace

Sustaining

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Affirming 

God’s

Sustaining spirit

Sunset never closes

Reaching for tomorrow’s hope

Awakening

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Cleansing

God’s

Awakening message

Endless joy sings

Mercy delivers His love

Forgiving

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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.

Peace Yet to Come (Second Sunday of Advent)

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.”

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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

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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)

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.”

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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

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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 Christians recognize and sing today.

Father and Son (Elfchen Series #124)

Overflowing Peace

Praising

Living God

Experiencing His love

Hearts filling, spilling over

Joy

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Steadfast Grace

Sharing

Prayerful thoughts

Worshipping with reverence

Father smiles from above

Praise

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Fulfilling Hope

Walking

With Jesus

Wickedness turns away

Shield of faith protects

Trusting

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Heavens Open Up

From Jeremiah 14:20-21:  “We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord, the iniquity of our ancestors, for we have sinned against You.  Do not spurn us, for Your name’s sake; do not dishonor Your glorious throne; remember and do not break Your covenant with us.”

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Famine in spirit

Eroding landscape

Darkest days ahead

Hopelessness takes shape

 

False prophets at work

Preaching hollow words

Continuous gloom

Gospel never heard

 

Sin ravages lives

Seeking true healing

Spirit never waits

Always revealing

 

Christ’s redemption saves

Spurning evil ways

Ember of faith grows

Resurrection’s blaze

 

Heavens open up

Showering God’s love

Grace enriches trust

Hope shines from above

 

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From Jeremiah 14:22:  “Can any idols of the nations bring rain, or can the heavens give showers?  Is it not You, O Lord our God?  We set our hope on You, for it is You who do all this.”

Steadfast Assurance

From Psalm 121:1-2:  “I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

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Dark perils come knocking

From where will “real” hope come?

Dreaded illness stalking

Hearing death’s haunting drum

 

His steadfast assurance

Calvary’s lasting love

Heavenly insurance

Breathing from God above

 

Forever life’s keeper

Never pausing to rest

Eternity’s doorkeeper

Refilling life with zest

 

Tomorrow’s sunrise beams

Hope reborn and glowing

Healthy spirit fills dreams

Believing and knowing

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This poem touches upon a personal reflection of my own Dad, who contracted Covid several months ago.  Despite being vaccinated, his underlying health conditions put him at great risk from the disease.  I give thanks every day that he has recovered and can look forward to his upcoming 87th birthday.

Life’s Breakwater

From John 4:13-14:  “Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty.  The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.'”

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Haunting landscape of needs

Darkness, breathless with fear

Back streets can never hide

Overflowing with tears

 

Facing hunger-filled void

Shadows filled with man’s greed

Overburdened labors

Breathing amongst ragweed

 

Walking with heart of pain

Emptiness without dreams

Thirst waiting to be quenched

Beholding mercy’s stream

 

Hearing sorrowful cries

Clamorous, selfish strife

Voice speaking, Son of God

Rising above each life

 

Flowing freshness of grace

Well of Living Water

Each heart again restored

Forming life’s breakwater

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From John 14:1-2:  “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places.  If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?”