Love’s Transforming Scope (Fourth Sunday of Advent)

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.

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.

Overflowing with Joy (Third Sunday of Advent)

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.”

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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

 

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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.  

William Carey Jones Quote

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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.

 

Promise Fulfilled (Elfchen Series #230)

Devotion

Witnessed

Discipleship’s faith

Always take courage

Christ offers His peace

Love

Vision

Trusted

Father above

Rising above darkness

Christ’s light delivers peace

Hope

Gratitude

Seasoned

Spirit descends

Righteousness fills journey

Guided by Christ’s peace

Joy

 

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Father’s Comforting Heart

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.”

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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

 

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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.”

Monday Memories: From Her Window

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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

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Originally published August, 2020.

Timely Presence (Haiku Series #292)

Daylight’s Gift

Morning’s stillness breathes

Renewing peace returns home—

Dawn welcomes one back

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Energizing Joy

Afternoon’s hope stirs

Gentle breezes come calling—

Spirit fills each heart

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Blessed Goodnight

Nightly curtain drops

Horizon’s fading embrace—

Tomorrow’s light waits

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Counting as Joy

From James 1:2-3:  “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”

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Facing life’s trials

Any and all kinds

Counting as joy

Faith never resigns

 

Testing endurance

Burdens grow lighter

Blessing as joy

Hope growing brighter

 

Maturing in faith

Every doubt erased

Feeling as joy

Father’s grace embraced

 

Growing every day

Inner self renews

Holding as joy

Spirit standing true

 

Preparing our way

Eternity’s flame

Seeing as joy

Peace in Christ proclaims

 

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From 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:  “So we do not lose heart.  Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.  For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”

Summer’s Breath (Haiku Series #291)

Endless Joy

Vacant lot’s dirt piles

Imagination’s new heights—

Scaling new mountains

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Hunger Pains

Stomach’s emptiness

Texting mother for some lunch—

Tree-fort food service

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Relief Arrives

Calendar’s big day!

School year finally begins—

Parents celebrate

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