Spirit of Joy (Third Sunday of Advent)

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.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

God hears cries of anguish

Transmitting hope from above

Heaven’s spirit of joy

Assigning Bethlehem’s love

 

Out of darkness, light comes

Raising everlasting peace

Filled with harmony’s joy

Granting New Covenant’s lease

 

Patience fills righteous hearts

Waiting, Savior shall arise

His birth will bring great joy

Shepherding salvation’s prize

 

Virgin filled with Spirit

Bearing Father’s only Son

Grace reaches out with joy

Praising all that will be done

 

Prophecy’s truthful sight

Sharing Father’s divine plan

Hearts nourished with His joy

Kneeling before Son of Man

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Psalm 146:8-9:  “The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.  The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.  The Lord watches over the strangers; He upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked He brings to ruin.”

Redemption Assured

From Job 19:25-26:  “For I know that my vindicator lives and that in the end He will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God.”

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Darkness shadows day

Each forgotten path

Sown hope uprooted

Crushed by evil’s wrath

 

Consumed with anger

Future’s light escapes

Forsaken feelings

Each evolving shape

 

Innocence cries out

Emptiness of heart

Tomorrow frozen

Outlook breaks apart

 

Faith’s net cast away

Trust lacking within

Tide now rushing forth

God always knows when

 

Redemption assured

Risen Savior lives

Light’s ember blossoms

Peace forever gives

 

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From Psalm 17:6-7:  “I call upon You, for You will answer me, O God; incline Your ear to me; hear my words.  Wondrously show Your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at Your right hand.”

Guest Advent Poem: A Special Gift

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.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

A special gift arrived for us!

It came so quietly . . .

. . . perhaps you did not know.

There was no fancy wrapping,

not even a pretty bow,

no ornate frills or glitter,

no festive party mood . . .

. . . Just a tiny, baby boy

born in a stable crude.

He was our Savior King.

He came to earth to bring

God’s gift of love!

 

God’s greatest gift was giv’n to us.

It was His only Son . . .

. . . perhaps you did not know.

He left a throne in heaven

to come to our world below.

His birth was without grandeur;

a star His only crown;

. . . Just a precious little babe;

our God, to earth came down.

He is our Savior King

To Him all Praises sing

God’s gift, great love!

 

So, turn your eyes from the glitter,

of Santa’s presents bright . . .

. . . perhaps you need to know.

Just turn from what the world sees,

and gaze on that glorious night.

Look there upon the baby

in God’s own holy light.

. . . Now, look past the party crowds

past shopping to be done.

Look past all worldly things.

Look at the baby king,

God’s Gift has come!

Courtesy of Pinterest.

These scenes are captured by my wife, Colleen.  The poem is featured in BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART, her Christian and family themed book.  The book features stories, devotions, and poetry for adults and teens.  Hands-on activities and delightful songs are included for families with young children.  God’s love is the guiding light throughout the book’s pages.

Fruitful Grace

From 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12:  “To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of His call and will fulfill by His power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Photo by Lauri Poldre on Pexels.com

Holy shall be Father’s name

His grace praises morning sky

Walking life’s highway with Him

Prayer becomes faith’s reply

 

Righteousness fills Father’s Word

Fortified with fruitful grace

Embracing mercy’s outreach

Faith follows heavenly pace

 

Grace bears truth from Father’s light

Savior rises just as planned

Washing away sin’s darkness

Faith’s cornerstone henceforth stands

 

Love expressed in Father’s faith

Grace bequeathed in His Son’s name

Kneeling at Calvary’s cross

Forgiveness erases shame

 

Faith cherishes Father’s grace

Love fills hearts of every saint

Bringing glory in His name

Forever bright, never faint

 

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From 2 Timothy 2:19:  “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.'”

Holiest Presence (Elfchen Series #257)

Breath

Messiah’s

Infant face

Witnessing Father’s love

Kingdom shall never end

Majesty

Afterglow

Mother’s

Ultimate favor

Bearing Father’s Son

Love filled with Spirit

Destiny

Remembrance

Savior’s

Humble Beginnings                        

Stable’s common feedbox

Angels praise Father’s joy

Light

All photographs courtesy of Pinterest.

Savior’s Light (Elfchen Series #255)

Trusted

Hearing

False promises

Enemy in darkness

Truth no longer hidden

Jesus

Photo by Denis Gvozdov on Pexels.com

Committed

Embracing

Faithful whisper

Leaving transgression’s darkness

Showered with daily grace

Jesus

Photo by Michael Morse on Pexels.com

Engaged

Witnessing

Mercy’s forgiveness

Redemption’s Holy covenant

Hope transforms all darkness

Jesus

Photo by Alan Ferreira on Pexels.com

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.

Grace Forever Free

From Lamentations 3:22-24:  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.'”

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Enemy only brings

Darkness upon thee

Emptiness clings

Again, lost at sea

 

Trapped in wilderness maze

No escape for thee

Sun’s missing rays

What does Spirit see?

 

God’s arrow finds its mark

Peace comes upon thee

Redemption’s ark

His Word’s faithful key

 

Salvation’s open gate

Savior’s love for thee

Mercy’s soulmate

Evil’s breath now flees

 

Bethlehem’s blessed light

Shineth upon thee

Hope taking flight

Praying on both knees

 

Freedom from heavy chains

Sins’ debts paid for thee

Christ shoulders pain

Grace forever free

 

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From Lamentations 3:55-57:  “I called on Your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; You heard my plea, ‘Do not close Your ear to my cry for help, but give me relief!’  You came near when I called on You; You said, ‘Do not fear!'”

Fulfilling Grace (Elfchen Series #251)

Resolve

Facing

Life’s detours

Unwavering faith breathes

Filled with Savior’s hope

Overcoming

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Reaffirm

Waiting

Patience nourished

Savior’s risen spirit

Filled with mercy’s connection

Reflecting

Photo by T Leish on Pexels.com

Rekindle

Believing

Savior’s light

Darkness swept away

Filled with love’s truth

Maturing

Photo by Trac Vu on Pexels.com

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.

Faith’s Testament (Elfchen Series #247)

Precious Steps

Witnessing

Savior’s light

Tomorrow will wait

Worry less, pray more

Today

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Treasured Place

Receiving

Savior’s peace

Burdens take rest

Healing waters of grace

Hope

Photo by Mykhailo Petrushchak on Pexels.com

Promises Realized

Fulfilling

Savior’s love

Forgiveness erases darkness

Walking mercy’s Emmaus Road

Redemption

Courtesy of Pinterest.

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.

Each Tomorrow

From Hebrews 11:1-3:  “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.  By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”

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Faith in future unseen

Trusting God’s divine Word

Tasting His every truth

Steps taken, hope conferred

 

Faith finds each tomorrow

Hearing Shepherd’s firm voice

Welcoming hope with love

Peace filling every choice

 

Faith follows righteous path

Holding hope’s precious grace

According to God’s plan

Enemy gives up chase

 

Faith moving beyond fear

Finding mercy’s new light

Grasping Savior’s fresh rope

Hope shines forever bright

 

Faith offers endless joy

Returning to God’s home

Praising as One Body

Destined hope freely roams

 

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From Psalm 23:6:  “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.”