Life’s
Inevitable waves
Cascading with doubt
Jesus refreshes us daily
Peace
Through
God’s grace
No longer filled
With darkness of weakness
Hope
Christ’s
Always leading
Finding His redemption
Guided by mercy’s lighthouse
Love
From the words of American-born philosopher, Pema Chadron: “Be kinder to yourself, then let your kindness flood the world.”
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
Trust
God’s promises
His actions awaken
Life’s wilderness shall blossom
Hope
Hope
For Savior
God’s desires fulfilled
Bethlehem stable’s Holy ground
Peace
Peace
Father’s gift
Lying in manger
Emmanuel, God with us
Joy
Joy
Angels proclaim
Humble shepherds attest
Christ comes to save
Love
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.
God’s
Magnificent creation
Praising every sunrise
Worshipping His blessed peace
Sustaining
God’s
Sustaining spirit
Sunset never closes
Reaching for tomorrow’s hope
Awakening
God’s
Awakening message
Endless joy sings
Mercy delivers His love
Forgiving
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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
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.
Praising
Living God
Experiencing His love
Hearts filling, spilling over
Joy
Sharing
Prayerful thoughts
Worshipping with reverence
Father smiles from above
Praise
Walking
With Jesus
Wickedness turns away
Shield of faith protects
Trusting
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.”
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
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.”
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.”
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
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.
