Divine love can’t be fully comprehended by the human mind, but it can nonetheless be ours through faith in Jesus Christ.
From 1 John 4:14-15: “And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent His Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God.”
Faith makes all things possible, love makes all things easy.
From Galatians 5:6: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.”
D. L. Moody (1837-1899), also known as Dwight Lyman Moody, was an American evangelist and Christian teacher. He is frequently credited with inspiring modern mass revivalism.
From Luke 2:1-7: “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
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Hallelujah!
Angels sing, from heavens above
Glory forever, to a newborn King
Praising Emmanuel, as they sing
Hallelujah!
Virgin Mary, mother to this Son
Jesus will be His blessed name
This world, never to be the same
Hallelujah!
Born in a bustling hamlet, Bethlehem
Chiseled in history, forever renowned
Baby in a manger, shepherds found
Hallelujah!
God with us, in flawless human form
Walking in our steps, we will trust
Witnessing a Cross, our Savior must
Hallelujah!
God lifts the veil of His great plan
His Son will bear our bloody sins
Forever, God’s flock will say “Amen”
Hallelujah!
All bow, take a bended knee
Praise our Savior in prayer
Darkness leaves, Jesus cares
Hallelujah!
God’s divine, sacrificial plan
Jesus comes in person, to save
He overpowers sin and the grave
Hallelujah!
Birth of this blessed, Holy child
Peace and joy, we will follow Him
His righteousness, a lasting hymn
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Originally published December, 2019.
It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.
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.
Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English writer whose novels are generally considered some of the greatest published during the Victorian era.
From Luke 2:15-16: “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger.”
Love breathes at creation
Stirring throughout darkest void
Goodness pouring from light
Father’s plans fully deployed
Love’s promises share hope
Flowing with peace, yet to come
From depths of Father’s Word
Mercy’s steady, beating drum
Love fulfills prophecy
Abounding in Father’s grace
No longer in darkness
Joy framing faith’s new embrace
Love’s assurance descends
Flowing from Father’s goodwill
Bethlehem’s stirring peace
Silent night, shepherds stand still
Love pours into each heart
Enduring Father sows seeds
Messiah fulfills hope
Light releasing joy’s proceeds
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.
English pastor and hymn writer, Isaac Watts, wrote the lyrics for “Joy to the World” in 1719. These verses embrace his interpretation of Psalm 98, which serves as a blessed completion of this Advent series of poems.
From Psalm 103:8: “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
Praising God eternal
His merciful grace reigns
Steadfast, abounding love
Unshackling evil’s chains
Praising almighty God
His glory always reigns
Filled with merciful love
Blessing life, changing lanes
Praising God’s steady hand
His endless grace shall reign
Forgiveness, heals with love
Boarding heavenly train
Praising God’s Holy name
Spirit coming to reign
His mercy shared with love
Covering distant plains
Praising God’s divine plan
Son’s kingdom born to reign
Taste lasting, grace-filled love
Washing white, sinful veins
From the words of American pastor and theologian, Eugene Peterson: “God is sheer mercy and grace.”
From Psalm 30:5: “For His anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
Morning gathering
Hearing Christ’s invite
Come now, rest a spell
Witnessing His delight
Tasting each morning
Sweetness of His grace
Reading Father’s Word
Peace fills this very place
Blessed morning time
Taking faithful walk
Christ offers His love
Trusting salvation’s rock
Finding morning’s truth
Gospel’s foundation
Maturing in faith
Father’s new creation
Tomorrow morning
Gathering again
Precious time with Christ
Praising His lasting reign
From Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Finding
Tomb empty
Many questions abound
Voice speaking with answers
Messiah
Walking
Emmaus Road
Shattered in darkness
Stranger shares His peace
Savior
Disciples
Confused, alone
Appearing among them
“Peace be with you”
Jesus
Taking up my “cross” means a life voluntarily surrendered to God.
From Luke 9:23: “Then He said to them all, ‘If any wish to come after Me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.'”
Arthur Walkington (A. W.) Pink (1886-1952) was an English Bible teacher and Christian writer. Following his death, many of his writings were well-received by readers. This turnabout established him as an influential evangelical author.
Looking outside from the kitchen table offers a view each morning of how our Lord presents each day as a precious gift. Here is a mini sonnet which witnesses a foretaste of the feast to come.
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Viewing the early morning
Welcoming each libation
Peering from kitchen’s window
Witnessing God’s creation
Growing greener, grass below
Blooming, flowers spelling love
Witnessing creative hands
Working each day from above
Taking in this peaceful scene
Witnessing each day’s foretaste
Blessing each feast, more to come
Tasting moments, without haste
Witnessing God’s daily Grace
Making life a happy place
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From Lutheran Communion liturgy, Christ’s people sing: “Grace our table with Your presence, and give us a foretaste of the Feast to come.”
Originally published May, 2020.
Big Sky Buckeye 