Saturday, December 24, 2022

My Christmas Prayer

From our house to yours-Merry Christmas!

The plan was to be part of a choir at church tonight at
 our Christmas Eve celebration
Celebration/worship is still happening at home, but not the choir!
Everyone is storm-stayed far and wide due to the 'crippling blizzard'!
Still
May we rejoice as we reflect on the Reason for the season,
and the Reason for the believer's joy!


This poem was also going to be shared tonight at the Christmas Eve service
I share it with all of you now, my prayer for us all,
 as we celebrate our Saviour's birth!  


My prayer for every one of us, for each day that we live
Is that we taste the joy of Jesus, only He can give
The glad tidings of joy angels proclaimed, in days of old
I pray, just as the shepherds did, we hasten to behold

And though we do not kneel, as they, that night at Bethlehem
I pray, that daily we rehearse the day we look on Him
And that the joy of living hope is like a Light unfurled
Because by faith we have beheld the Saviour of the world

I pray the joy of Jesus melts each shadow of a doubt
As we receive the Reason that Christmas is all about
Then, come what may, I pray that nothing in this world can dim
Joy’s Star, as we, like the Wisemen have come to worship Him

© Janet Martin

From me to all of you who faithfully drop by my 'poem-porch',
wishes for a blessed Christmas to you and yours!



Luke 2:1-20
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

6 comments:

  1. Very blessed Janet. Thank you.

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  2. Beautiful, Janet! Christmas Blessings to you snd yours. Will 2023 be the year your book us published?😊

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    1. thank-you so much! Same to you and yours! Oh, wouldn't it be great if this was the year of the book?!!>3 Childcare looks like its shaping up to offer a lull in the schedule due to maternity-leaves so something to ponder and pray about!

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  3. Merry Christmas, Janet!! We are still frozen here in Ohio, but getting slightly better... thankful our family could all be together last evening. Had a nice Christmas this morning, with now 16 and 17 year-olds!! When we first met on here Olivia wasn't yet in school - next year is her last of high school (2024 grad). Oh, how time really does fly. I still cling to the wisdom you've shared with me through the years, and am so thankful for you - and Lucy! Blessings to you and yours today and in the New Year!!

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    1. Megan, thank-you so much! It has been a joy to know each other and watch our families grow up/older! Wow! I can't believe Olivia is almost through high-school!! I remember her little girl photos and now I have a grand-daughter almost the same age that she was when we 'met'! She is a gifted artist like her mother and Grandpa!! Yes, time sure does fly and we want to treasure its moment-gold as it slips through our touch! We were all able to be together today after digging out of the storm! Wishing you a blessed Christmas Season and New Year too!

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I hope you enjoyed your pause on this porch and thank-you for your visit!