Quiet fog whispers
Hanging above trees
Clouds resting on pines
Mist wanting to freeze
Landscape’s gentle peace
Transcending spirit
Now wanting to rest
Stillness, now hear it
Time ready to pause
Watching scene outside
Afternoon nap calls
Sleepy thoughts collide
Awake, look outdoors
Falling in rhythm
Fresh flakes floating down
Snow’s algorithm
White transformation
Mesmerizing view
Nature’s snowy blanket
Winter’s evening cue
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.
Merciful
Steadfast love
Restoring heart’s spirit
Christ’s blood cleansing sin
Redemption
Enduring
Human trials
Believing in God
Trusting always without fear
Obedience
Worshipping
With gladness
Praising Spirit’s goodness
Tasting genuine, faithful love
Peace
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 Psalm 84:3-4: “Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Happy are those who live in Your house, ever singing Your praise.”
Dwelling in God’s house
Joy of worship sings
Grace always flowing
From eternal springs
Lord ever present
Blessing living things
Promises now filled
Trust in Lord shall ring
Sparrows and swallows
Building each new nest
Creation’s new home
God never at rest
Signs of Father’s love
Worshipping with praise
Spirit of hope breathes
Strength in Him shall raise
Walking with Jesus
Peace never departs
Favor and honor
Love fills every heart
With lyrics inspired from Psalm 32:8 (words of David) and Matthew 8:26 (words of Jesus), the Gospel-rich hymn of “His Eye is on the Sparrow” shares a stirring and encouraging message. Civilla D Martin wrote these lyrics in 1905 with the composition from Charles H. Gabriel.
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
Sowing seeds of love
Reaping bountiful harvest–
Spirit plants kindness
Kindness breathing grace
Actions sweeter than honey—
Purging bitterness
Words packed with kindness
Unlocking life’s path of peace–
Melting hardened hearts
Big Sky Buckeye 