Rejoice!
Darkness forsaken
Savior’s merciful light
Payment for redemption’s gift
Love
Believe!
Resurrection’s light
Savior’s destiny fulfilled
Permanent cornerstone of faith
Trust
Submission!
Heart’s acceptance
Savior’s risen grace
Warmth of eternity’s light
Forgiven
Family’s
Earthly realm
Born of virgin
Son of skilled carpenter
Jesus
Destiny’s
Heavenly presence
Light replaces darkness
Fulfillment of God’s Word
Savior
Resurrection’s
Unselfish love
Rising with forgiveness
Shattering chains of sin
Messiah
From Psalm 80:3: “Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved.”
From highest heavens
Father’s love descends
Destiny of hope
Bringing light, darkness bends
Witnessed from above
Father’s love restores
Salvation’s light waits
Rising tides come ashore
Aligned with David
Father’s love defines
Gospel breathes through One
Restoring light divine
Filled with angel’s joy
Father’s love unfolds
Prophecy fulfilled
Embracing light so bold
Virgin carries child
Father’s love reframes
Emmanuel’s light
Bearing peace in His name
From Isaiah 7:13-14: “Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also? 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.'”
One of the most stirring of hymns during Advent is “What Child is This.” The lyrics were composed by English hymn writer, William Chatterton Dix, in 1865. The melody follows the familiar tune of “Greensleeves.” Here is American singer, Vikki Carr, sharing her interpretation of this beloved song.
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.”
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
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.”
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.”
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
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.”
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.”
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!
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.
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.”
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
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.'”
Messiah’s
Infant face
Witnessing Father’s love
Kingdom shall never end
Majesty
Mother’s
Ultimate favor
Bearing Father’s Son
Love filled with Spirit
Destiny
Savior’s
Humble Beginnings
Stable’s common feedbox
Angels praise Father’s joy
Light
Hearing
False promises
Enemy in darkness
Truth no longer hidden
Jesus
Embracing
Faithful whisper
Leaving transgression’s darkness
Showered with daily grace
Jesus
Witnessing
Mercy’s forgiveness
Redemption’s Holy covenant
Hope transforms all darkness
Jesus
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 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.'”
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
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!'”
Big Sky Buckeye 