Experiencing
Daily blessings
Heavenly Father above
Source of faith’s comfort
Joy
Praising
Father’s love
Redemption from Savior
Each sin washed white
Peace
Prayer’s
Intimate conversation
Father’s daily grace
Heart opened, hearing Him
Hope
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.”
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
From Luke 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors.”
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.”
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
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.
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.
From Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”
Waiting hope, in darkness
World absent of peace
When will joy truly arrive?
Faith’s brokenness must cease
Trusting God without fear
His comfort coming
Joy draws salvation’s water
Messiah forthcoming
Leading to Bethlehem
Hope shall be restored
Peace overflowing with joy
Heaven’s angels onboard
Praising with humble hearts
God’s gentleness seeks
Joy’s rejoicing voices sing
Shepherd’s emotions speak
Proclaiming hope’s presence
Repentance brings peace
Faith’s witness fills lungs with joy
Love opens heaven’s lease
From Isaiah 12:5-6: “Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
An Advent hymn accompanies this poem, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.” This traditional English carol was first discovered in an anonymous manuscript in the 1650s.
The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each other’s burden, easing others’ loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas.
From John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen His glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”
William Carey Jones (1855-1927) was an American Congressman from the state of Washington.
Witnessed
Discipleship’s faith
Always take courage
Christ offers His peace
Love
Trusted
Father above
Rising above darkness
Christ’s light delivers peace
Hope
Seasoned
Spirit descends
Righteousness fills journey
Guided by Christ’s peace
Joy
From Isaiah 49:13: “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted His people and will have compassion on His suffering ones.”
Peace rises above
Father’s comforting hand
Over every high mountain
Answers cover distant lands
Love rises above
Father’s comforting sense
Compassion lifts up each saint
Answers come to one’s defense
Hope rises above
Father’s comforting voice
Light eradicates darkness
Answers offer trusted choice
Joy rises above
Father’s comforting grace
Every storm becomes quiet
Answers which all should embrace
Grace rises above
Father’s comforting heart
Discipleship feeds spirit
Answers sustain faith’s restart
From the words of American Christian writer, Lettie B. Cowman: “Put your hand into the hand of God. He gives the calmness and serenity of heart and soul.”
Peering out from her window
Times changing much, much too fast
Being alone many years
Husband and friends having passed
Small home meets her meager needs
But, the neighborhood has changed
Folks come and go, few she knows
Life blurs by, as if arranged
Sheltered from the outside world
Homebound most days by herself
Family in distant states
Ignored like books on a shelf
Watching some television
Staying away from the news
Remembering old classics
Dreaming of Julie Andrews
Reading occupies her time
Local newspaper connects
Crossword puzzle smiling back
Novels thrill with their suspects
Peering out from her window
Another sunset draws near
Unfamiliar car drives up
Grandchildren bring happy tears
Originally published August, 2020.
Morning’s stillness breathes
Renewing peace returns home—
Dawn welcomes one back
Afternoon’s hope stirs
Gentle breezes come calling—
Spirit fills each heart
Nightly curtain drops
Horizon’s fading embrace—
Tomorrow’s light waits
Big Sky Buckeye 