Lone grocery store
Bags filled with conversation—
Open every day
Main Street’s hardware store
Meeting neighbors face-to-face—
Day’s gathering place
Mealtime’s Joy Delights
Cozy diner greets
Town’s most favorite hang-out–
Morning, noon, and night
From Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings to closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”
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God’s footprints, visible for eternity
Filling our hearts with His joy, perfectly
Our Lord’s joy remains forever man’s strength
Overcoming the wicked, godless and fleeting
When distressed, our Lord brings answers
Sadness and worry turn to joy, never retreating
Through God, He restores the joy of Salvation
The Lord’s highway steers us on His Holy Way
Justice arrives, bringing joy to the righteous
For God’s Word, keeping all from going astray
Joy is a choice, feeling our Lord’s countenance
When tackling life’s endless, inevitable trials
Consider every one of them, nothing but joy
Walking with God, feeling joy with every mile
Faith produces endurance for God’s community
Endurance leads to maturity from God’s hand
Maturity through God, brings lasting, final joy
Trusting God’s Holy Word all across this land
God’s Kingdom delivers righteousness and peace
Through the Holy Spirit, souls experience joy
Clapping hands, singing praise to our Holy Lord
Redeemed man walks, filled with gladness and joy
Prophets foretell of the coming of a new King
Our Messiah’s birth brings magnificent joy
Joy later shattered on a bitter, bloody Cross
Only to defeat death, with Resurrection’s joy
Living as part of God’s redeemed, feeling His joy
Fruits of the Spirit sharing love, peace, and joy
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Gratitude is as powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.
From Colossians 3:16-17: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
A complete holiday from self-pity is necessary to success.
From Psalm 30:5: “For His anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
Worries and fears grow
Never-ending appetite—
Consuming spirit
In darkest of times
Winning race with final push—
Running with boldness
Day’s delightful pause
Joyous memories drop in—
Dancing in one’s heart
The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all of the other ages you’ve been.
Because we fail to listen to each other’s stories, we are becoming a fragmented human race.
Madeleine L’Engle (1918-2007) was an American writer and poet who frequently wrote about her Christian faith as well as her interest in modern science.
Whether you are retired or looking forward to its arrival, these verses are written especially for you. Enjoy life while taking in retirement’s ride.
Waking in darkness
Morning’s warm greeting
Day ahead calling
Night’s sleep retreating
Challenges waiting
Agenda sleeps for now
Coffee sends greetings
Where’s this morning’s chow?
Sunrise glows outside
Nature’s verses sing
Kitchen fills with warmth
Time’s melody swings
Decisions to make
Day moves by itself
Life in retirement
Tasks wait for oneself
Life now transitions
Driving slower lane
Each day’s gentle pace
Always entertains
If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it.
One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began.
Mary Oliver (1935-2019) was a best-selling American poet, who received many honors for her work. Her love of nature can be found in much of her writing, and it resulted in honors from the National Book Award in 1992 and Pulitzer Prize in 1984.
Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the big happiness.
If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday.
American writer and novelist, Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), spent much of her early life in China as a missionary. She was widely heralded for her book, THE GOOD EARTH, which was published in 1931. She garnered the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and later the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938.
From Isaiah 9:6-7: “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. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and His kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
Faithful God’s Holy love
Shining from Bethlehem
Blessed virgin gives birth
In world filled with mayhem
Hope springs forth from God’s love
Filling manger with grace
Messiah born this night
Stable now Holy place
Divine love preaches faith
Sharing Lord’s precious gift
Behold man’s salvation
Satan’s plans now adrift
Peace covers earth’s landscape
Sowing eternal love
Savior’s mission begins
Father views from above
Lasting joy now goes forth
Hearing angels singing
Christ’s love, Calvary’s cross
Forgiveness now bringing
You are invited to join in prayer: Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace. During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior. Amen.
Written in 1865 by English hymn writer, William Chatterton Dix, the hymn of “What Child Is This?” is sung by Charlotte Church. The lyrics are based upon the verses from Isaiah 9:6-7, and the tune is “Greensleeves.”
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