What happened in Bethlehem didn’t stay in Bethlehem.
From Luke 2:10-11: “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.'”
From Psalm 89:1-2: “I will sing of Your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations. I declare that Your steadfast love is established forever; Your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.”
Transformation of peace
Gathered in God’s hands
Fulfillment of His Word
Messiah comes to stand
Hearts filling with truth
Opened in God’s light
Hope stirring from darkness
Calvary’s welcome flight
Never forsaken
Loved through God’s caring
Steadfast grace now descends
Savior’s forthwith sharing
New covenant’s breath
Charged from God’s boldness
Praises full of wonder
Christ transforms sin’s coldness
Enemy trembles
Quashed by God’s own hand
Holiness lives throughout
Redemption comes as planned
From Psalm 89:5-6: “Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord, Your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord.”
From James 1:22: “But be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.”
Father’s expectations
Obedience to His Word
Man’s imperfect faith
Heaven’s light remains blurred
Father addressed as Lord
Mankind’s trust remains distant
Shallow commitment
Actions inconsistent
Father’s observations
Each believer falling short
Every fool’s errand
Without Heaven’s passport
Father’s forthright guidance
Witnessed journey of His Son
Righteousness of Christ
Obedience of One
Father’s harmony breathes
Through Savior’s perfect actions
Unblemished lamb’s grace
Source of sin’s retraction
From Romans 5:19: “For just as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”
Jesus
Always first
Easing life’s burdens
Grace fills another moment
Faith
Messiah
Offering light
Mercy’s navigational compass
Comforted through His love
Trust
Savior
Destiny’s truth
Shaping every step
Each worry set aside
Righteousness
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.
This world possessed me.
It tried to keep me from Your light.
And all the time, life seemed to rhyme.
Sometimes, it even turned out right.
Still, my life was dark as night!
Even then,
I felt You there.
I knew You always cared.
Your pow’r was greater,
than this world’s strongest hold on me.
You sent Your Son to be the One
to bleed and die on Calvary.
Now, new daylight sets me free.
Evermore,
my Savior lives.
His strength He always gives.
So . . .
Jesus, my Lord Jesus,
now, I can call You Lord.
By Your Holy Spirit’s pow’r,
and by Your precious love each hour,
I’ve giv’n my heart to You.
Jesus, my Lord Jesus,
Yes, I can call You Lord.
By You bearing all my shame,
and by Your precious, holy name,
I’ve put my trust in You.
Jesus, my Lord Jesus,
yes, I can call You Lord.
Jesus, my Lord Jesus,
yes, I will call You Lord!
Today’s Christian poem is one of several contained in BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART. The proud author is my wife, Colleen Peterson.
From her own words:
BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART contains stories, devotions and poetry for the adults, activities to do with your children, and fun little songs. The devotions and poetry will strongly open up your faith walk to more of God’s light. Doing the fun activities and singing little songs with your children will bring smiles to everyone’s heart.
Colleen appreciates the kind reception her book has received. It is available on your favorite online bookstore site.
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.”
Big Sky Buckeye 