Christmas Happiness and Joy

Cherishing like never before 

Christmas Happiness and Joy

Both the simple...

Basic Shortbread

Shortbread with dark chocolate and instant coffee bits

Shortbread with toasted pecans, dark chocolate and toffee bits

and profound...

1 John 4:9-12

9 This is how God showed his love among us:

 He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 

10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us 

and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 

11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, 

God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Christmas happiness and joy...

When shortbread, dark chocolate and toffee bits-sweet and toasted pecans and taste buds meet😋

When snowflakes waft, tumble, lilt, sparkle and swirl and the heart feels like a ballerina-twirl/girl

When windows, gold, lamp-lit at eventide frame frosty blue vistas of countryside

When hustle and bustle of shopping and cleaning and cooking don festive attire and meaning

When songs of the season with timeless oblation ring out the glad reason for hope's celebration

Because Jesus Christ, mankind's Saviour was born in a Bethlehem stable on that first Christmas morn

To cheer generations with wonder and love because God knew only His Son was enough

To be sin's last sacrifice, once and for all; Jesus, the name on which every heart may call

To find hope and joy that no sorrow can dim after we have put our faith in Him

© Janet Martin 

Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven

Jesus, Only Jesus

Happy Christmas Day- Charlie Pride

To the Weaver of Creature Cares, Some Poem-let Prayers

My friend gave me this book for Christmas.

She cautioned that it might make me shed some tears.

It did. 

But what worthwhile tears they are

as it reminded me of Rom.8:28 again,

'how God works all things together for good

to those who love Him and are called

according to his purpose.'

Sometimes, the troubled parts we see as hues of heartache blend

Are but threads in a Tapestry we cannot comprehend 

How often what may seem like disappointing change of plan

Is but God's intervention anointing the will of man

As from a skein of Mercy's flax He weaves, beyond our ken

Much more than we could think to ask or think to think. Amen  

***

Dear Lord, when I forget in the thick of setbacks and such

To visualize life's shimm'ring thread soft-tumbling through Your Touch 

Help me remember to picture You at the shuttle where

What looks like trouble's tincture is the answer to a prayer

The Weavers Work of Art I only see in part. Lord, then

Create in me a humbler heart of childlike faith, Amen 

***

Lord, when our hope is shaken by dark hues of circumstance 

When one we love is taken or when courage cannot dance

Beneath the weight of waiting and creature cares that life brings

Rather than hope deflating, lift it up on eagle's wings

Because, what tests faith's valour beyond logic's acumen 

May compose the key colour in Your Masterpiece. Amen

© Janet Martin 

Isn't it awesome to remember God knows what we have need of

even before we ask?! 

How His answers go before us all around the world in a wink! 

Matt. 6:8

...your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

His Love Cannot Fail

Hymn: Since Jesus my Savior

Since Jesus my Savior from sin rescued me

Life's pathway shines brighter because I am free

No harn can befall me though foes should assail

My refuge is Jesus, his love cannot fail.

His love cannot fail. His love cannot fail.

There's no one like Jesus, his love cannot fail.

My heart overflows with a wondrous delight

For Jesus is with me by day and by night

His love ever flowing so boundless and free

It never can fail, 'tis for you and for me.

His love cannot fail. His love cannot fail.

There's no one like Jesus, his love cannot fail

There's no one like Jesus to comfort and bless

There's no one like him in the hour of distress

He knows every trial on life's upward way

His love cannot fail, 'tis a joy day by day.

His love cannot fail. His love cannot fail.

There's no one like Jesus, his love cannot fail.

Singers: Altar of Praise Chorale

Words and music: James M. Black

Dear Lucy, I'm Learning Things I Thought I Knew...

Lucy and I loved this song

I'm sending it out to her family, and mine, from both of us.

I remember her telling me she wants to share this song with her children

till it drives them crazy 😅...and I said, 'me too!' 

You Are Loved

We chose to interpret this song as God singing to His children

One of the blogs I subscribe to is Barnstorming, click HERE

after Lucy suggested to me a number of years ago 'that she thinks I would love it'. 

And I do!

OH, one of things that has left a gargantuan hole in my life 

are our sister-soulmate loves and being able to share them with each other.

 How I miss the unexpected surprises of 'you would love this, Janet!

and visa-versa. 

How often I still whisper' you would love this, Lucy'

 though I know she is in a place of unimaginable wonder and beauty

 in the presence of our Beloved Savior-King forever!

On today's post HERE, about grief, 

the author, Emily Gibson, shares some words of timeless wisdom;

'We don’t have control over the amount of time,

 but we do have control over how extensively

 our love for others is heard and spread.'

Barnstorming~

And those words inspired today's poem...

Dear Lucy

I'm learning things I thought I knew before the sudden loss of you

Before I understood how tears can mark days turned to months then years

After what I now realize I thought I did, but didn't, prize

Of time I thought we had until you donned wings to where Time stands still 

 

I thought that you and I would weather the 'joys' of growing old together

Where I would blaze a trail and find you following, not far behind

And in its grin-groan-grunting art we'd keep each other young at heart

I never thought I'd turn to see only frames, where you used to be 

I'm learning, as I vainly rue the things no wishing can undo

To take each opportunity that comes without time's guarantee 

To wear love's second-mile-grade shoes as if I had no time to lose

And not to be unduly vexed, but love/live as if I could be next

I'm learning to revere love's role as I advance toward the goal

(where none of use can see how far from its eternity we are)

But all of us should take to heart the privilege to do our part

To consider our fellowman and love each other while we can

I'm learning to fully embrace the gift of looking at your face

Of cherishing both high and low of holding on and letting go

And never minding quite so much the humour of Father Time's touch

As I learn what I thought I knew, dear Lucy, before missing you

Janet💔

Years ago, the chorus to the song below was a prayer

Lucy and I shared...to live till our children are grown, if God wills!

God willed her/our prayer to be answered.

Moe Bandy Till I'm Too Old To Die Young 1987

And this, straight from the Word of God...

Jer.31:3

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;

 I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

Overcome With Joy

This past year felt a bit like a blur of one sorrow after another,

Dec. 14 marked eight months since the loss of my neighbour/friend.

Dec. 15, marked one month since my husband's mother passed to her desired rest,

And today, Dec.17, marks three months since I lost one of my beloved sisters, Lucy.

and many lost a friend,

but through deep grief I have time and again been speechlessly

overcome with joy through the comfort of promises from God's word and through

the compassion of so many caring family, friends and neighbours 

leaving in its wake a multitude of kinder, more tender friendships.

As we partake rather than flee from bearing one another's burdens

and so fulfilling the law/love of Christ, (Gal.6:2)

He surprises us with unsurpassed joy 

Psalm 5:3

In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice;

at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.

Bach: Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring (Lyrics)

Lord, leave me overcome with joy

No words can quite define

No circumstance can quite destroy

Nor sorrow undermine

Lord, as I lift my eyes to Thee

From earth's groaning employ

Remind me that mortality

Precedes eternal joy

Console me with the glorious thought

Of joy still set before

Until a joy I had not sought

Surprises sorrows sore

And fills the longings of my heart

With joy beyond compare

And faith to face the cunning art

Of stumbling block and snare

Permit a humbler joy be born

Upon my bended knee

As I lift up my plea each morn

Then wait expectantly

Amen

~Janet Martin

Joy Inexpressible and Glorious

John 16:24

Until now you have not asked for anything in My name.

 Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

This year, as I re-glued the weathered letters below back together

and pondered the word Joy, it was not without tears,

realizing how, this year I have discovered

a most holy, indescribable joy plumbed from the depths of

heart-wrenching grief!

For our God, acquainted with grief, 

comforts us with unspeakable joy...

Isa.53:3-6

He is despised and [d]rejected by men,

A Man of [e]sorrows and acquainted with [f]grief.

And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;

He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

4 Surely He has borne our [g]griefs

And carried our [h]sorrows;

Yet we [i]esteemed Him stricken,

[j]Smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But He was wounded[k] for our transgressions,

He was [l]bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes[m] we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

We have turned, every one, to his own way;

And the Lord [n]has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

(read the whole wondrous chapter HERE)

Joy is the outpouring of God's inpouring!

***

1 Peter 1:8

Though you have not seen him, you love him; 

and even though you do not see him now, 

you believe in him and are filled 

with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

***

Joy is the essence of Hope, hallelujah!

Joy is God's Presence of peace

Joy is believing while not yet receiving

Knowing soon sorrow will cease

Joy is the knowledge that if God is for us

Who can be 'gainst us and win?

Joy is salvation; the soul's separation

From hell and death's curse of sin

Go to, and howl, you rich men full of mis'ry

Joy cannot be bought or sold

Joy is soul's laughter that ripples long after

The glint that delighted earth's hold

Joy is the baby in Bethlehem's manger

The cross where redemption runs rife

Joy is the Saviour who will reign forever

Mankind's resurrection and life

Joy without Jesus is but joy's pale shadow

Fickle as Fantasy's Whim

True joy is Jesus, whose gift of grace frees us

Joy is love's wonder of Him

Joy is the posture of utter surrender

To God, worthy of all praise

Joy is an ocean of unplumbed devotion

Eternity cannot faze

© Janet Martin 

John 17:13

But now I am coming to You;

and I am saying these things while I am in the world, 

so that they may have My joy fulfilled within them.

1 John 1:4

We write these things so that our joy may be complete.

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always. 

I will say it again: Rejoice!

Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope

 fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, 

so that you may overflow with hope 

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Nehemiah 8:10

Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet,

 and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, 

since today is holy to our Lord. 

Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Psalm 16:11

You will show me the path of life; 

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

 At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee-Carrie Underwood

Lyrics- Henry J. van Dyke

(story of its inspiration HERE)

1. Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
   God of glory, Lord of love;
   Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,
   Op’ning to the sun above.
   Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
   Drive the dark of doubt away;
   Giver of immortal gladness,
   Fill us with the light of day!
2. All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
   Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,
   Stars and angels sing around Thee,
   Center of unbroken praise.
   Field and forest, vale and mountain,
   Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
   Singing bird and flowing fountain
   Call us to rejoice in Thee.
3. Thou art giving and forgiving,
   Ever blessing, ever blest,
   Wellspring of the joy of living,
   Ocean depth of happy rest!
   Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
   All who live in love are Thine;
   Teach us how to love each other,
   Lift us to the joy divine.
4. Mortals, join the happy chorus,
   Which the morning stars began;
   Father love is reigning o’er us,
   Brother love binds man to man.
   Ever singing, march we onward,
   Victors in the midst of strife,
   Joyful music leads us Sunward
   In the triumph song of life.

The Way to Change the World

We all know spending time with an agreeable and friendly tot or child

 is far more pleasant than to accommodate

 a disagreeable, hard-to-please youngster!

I had the pleasure of the company of

 a most pleasant and agreeable nature yesterday!

soodla! 

(Pennsylvania Dutch word for child splashing and playing in water in a sink)

A pastime as old as time, methinks 😂

The above concept about agreeability applies to people of all ages!

No matter how pleasant our surroundings are,

if we or one we are with is ill-tempered and unthankful

the joy of any experience is altered tremendously!! 

Whether sitting by crackling fire

Or walking through the mead

Or lounging beneath lofty spire

Of leaf-song overhead 

Or sipping cup of fresh-brewed joe

While on a Sunday drive

Or romping in fresh fallen snow

Happy to be alive

Tis not extravagance or style

That makes The Thing enough

Life's greatest beauty is a smile

Its purest pleasure, love

So then, no matter what we do

Whether simple or grand

Delight depends on me and you

Not fortune's sleight of hand 

No matter, dear, how fair or fine

The face or physique's frame

Or what success may underline

The mention of a name

Nothing can ever take the place

Whoever we may be

Of a heart full of love and grace

And kind humility

To make our lives a sure success 

And happier, by far

Depends, not on what we possess

 Or who or where we are

The way to change the world for good

Is this, dear girl and boy

To love each other like we should

Will fill the world with joy

Janet Martin~

A 'Child's' Acknowledgement

Can works save us? No!

Can works prove or disprove God's spirit in us? Yes!

Below, a few excerpts from a chapter that begins with one

of my favourite verses of scripture

(Read the whole glorious chapter HERE)

1 John 3:1-3, 10-11, 16-17

Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, 

that we should be called children of [a]God! 

Therefore the world does not know [b]us, 

because it did not know Him.

 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; 

and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, 

but we know that when He is revealed, 

we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 

3 And everyone who has this hope in Him

 purifies himself, just as He is pure...

10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: 

Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, 

nor is he who does not love his brother. 

11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning,

that we should love one another,..

...16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.

 And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 

17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need,

 and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

Hope for Everyone-Matt Maher

 Thou Lord, Father of believers 

Draw Thy children to Thy knee

Shield us from worldly deceivers

As we learn to lean on Thee

Guard our hearts from pride's temptation  

Let hope purify love's goal 

Satisfy us with salvation

By the faith that makes us whole 

Make Thy Light in us a beacon 

Of goodness, mercy and love

Thou our Father, we Thy children

Ah, my Lord, it is enough

© Janet Martin 

When Love Was Born

Of Divine Architecture

Trusting our faithful God is sometimes easier said than done, isn't it?!

Trusting Him in all our hard unknowns!

Yesterday my friend whose family is searching for a new home to move to 

as the deadline in their current rental approaches (Feb.), 

said this as they continuously entrust to God this desperate need;

'we know that something will work out, 

even if it isn't necessarily our dream.'

I have been pondering her words  'even if it isn't necessarily our dream.'

No one's dream includes the stress of home-seeking,

 sudden loss of a loved one,

or debilitating injuries or sickness of body or mind,

or broken marriages and friendships.

Trouble and tragedy are part of this sin-cursed world.

And how would we ever learn true and full surrender to

our all-sufficient Heavenly Father's love and grace

without sorrow and suffering;

Our Heavenly Father, who left His throne

knowing what lay before Him!

He was homeless, hated, rejected, spat upon, beaten,

misjudged, mistreated and crucified,

though he was guiltless of any sin!

He did not send a substitute to pardon humanity

but gave Himself to suffer redemption's brutal cost!

He alone brings true comfort and joy.

Through him alone sorrow and sickness are healed

whether on earth or in Heaven.

Ah, holy Christmas season as we

celebrate, marvel and meditate

on the glad tidings of great joy 

which was, will be and ever IS

to all people!

Luke 2:1-11

Then the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid, for behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy 

which will be to all people.

11For there is born to you this day in the city of David

a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

***

When our castle of dreams tumbles

God is there to catch the pieces

if we let Him and to help us forward

as we learn to humbly yield and trust

 the Divine Architect with what appears broken

***

Sorrow makes us so much more thankful for/aware of joy!

Today's joy included 

an early morning visit from my sister-in-law

who came bearing a beautiful poinsettia-gift 

...cookie-baking with my neighbours

because school buses were canceled,

Delighting in the snowy scenes through their windows

and mine...

There is no path to What Once Was of former 'days of glory'

Futile to rue the day because of a twist in life's/love's story

Where oft on tender plots of joy, grief's bitter battle wages

As death crumples, like crushed decoys, love's hope and dream-filled pages

Ah, who of us is wise enough to know God's kind intentions 

Or understand the blueprint of His love's Divine Dimensions  

The Builder and Maker of earth and Heaven, who can measure

Or know the height and depth and girth of Mercy's architecture 

It is not ours to mastermind the means of our Creator

Enough to know that He is kind, love's reckoning far greater

Than panoramic dust-to-dust's volatile stance of seasons

Enough to know that we can trust His all-wise perfect Reasons 

Janet Martin

How Else??

Christmas is far more than an excuse to decorate,

or buy gifts for loved ones

or (over) indulge in favourite foods and drinks...etc.

It is more than an arranging of religious figurines...

 Christmas, for Christians, is the celebration of Christ's first coming to the world!

And a celebration of anticipation of His second coming!

And hopefully, not simply a seasonal celebration

but a faithful continuation of the holy joyful expectation

of meeting Jesus

where, each time we open His Word, 

we do meet Him but not yet face to face!

Each time we open his Word

we meet Him there!

Have you met Jesus today?

Coming Soon-Redeemed Quartet

Recently I heard this caution;

If you do not read the Word of God

you will be deceived.

If we do not read the word of God we will err in our thinking...

Matt.22:29

Jesus replied, “You are in error because 

you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

How often the word of God contradicts human logic...

To defend sin, no matter how hurt we are/were

or how much we love the sinner

is to defend disobedience and ungodliness!

....God is light and in Him is no darkness.

If we say we have fellowship with Him

and walk in darkness, we lie (1 John 1:5-6)

Oh, may we ask the Lord as we meet Him

in his Word ....

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, 

may give you/us a spirit of wisdom and revelation 

in your/our knowledge of Him.

(18I) ask that the eyes of your/our heart(s) may be enlightened, 

so that you/we may know 

the hope of His calling, 

the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,

19and the surpassing greatness of His power

 to us who believe.

Eph.1:17-19

How can we taste and see God's goodness without knowledge, first, of Him

How, in this world of sin and darkness, can we shine, without His Word

How, without putting on His armour can we face faith's foe, so grim 

For he masquerades as a charmer, smooth-talking till truth is blurred

 Mass ignorance and confusion applauds the blind leading the blind

After claiming Christ's absolution, God's love-light is shed abroad

In our hearts; As His Word reaches joint and marrow of darkened mind 

His Word alone begins to teach us how to live and love like God

How else can we claim to know Jesus, yet not/but to seek Him through His Word?  

No other scripture can release us from clutches of sinful choice 

How, without His Word to win us can faith persevere, undeterred

How, without His Word within us can we begin to hear His Voice?  

Janet Martin~

Ps.19:7-11

The Law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

8The precepts of the LORD are right,

bringing joy to the heart;

the commandments of the LORD are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

9The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever;

the judgments of the LORD are true,

being altogether righteous.

10They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the comb.

11By them indeed Your servant is warned;

in keeping them is great reward...

Read the whole glorious chapter HERE

Barge of Today...

On Mercy's Ocean

 Barge of Today

sets sail...

***

Life/love is heavy!

Handle with prayer

***

James 1:3-4

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience. 

4But let patience have its perfect work, 

that you may be [b]perfect and complete, 

lacking nothing. 

Luke 12:24-25

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap,

they have no storehouse or barn;

yet God feeds them.

How much more valuable you are than the birds!

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Sometimes life sends challenges 

that seem bound and determined

to turn into worry!

But, praise God, he invites us to turn our worry into prayer!

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Above us night's dark awning thins and dissolves, star by star

A Warden in soft moccasins draws Today's door ajar

And beckons to the waking world to rise and shine, re-awed 

By Mercy's ocean re-unfurled fresh from the Hand of God    

Barge of Today is laden with unnumbered *hopes and pleas 

Each ordained voyage, maiden, east to west on welkin seas 

Where we, both passenger and crew, have much to do; ahoy

As the kind Captain steers us through uncharted grief and joy

He tries our faith with Circumstances we would never choose 

But also, by the grace He grants us, patience learns its dues 

A far more kind and humble poise in what we ask and seek

As we discover the scarred joys of 'blessed are the meek'

Above us night's dark awning thins; a fleet of souls once more  

Embarks; Barge of Today begins its crossing to dusk's shore  

Ah pray, come whatsoever may, love and faith will not fail

If perchance the Barge of Today should hoist its final sail 

© Janet Martin 

*A family I love very much has been searching since the summer, for a new home to rent,

after being notified that they need to be out of their current home

by Feb. 2025. The search has been super-discouraging and fruitless, so far!

 Can you join our prayers that God will help them find a house they can afford,

large enough for 2 adults and four children?! 

It is has turned into a testing of faith producing

a bumper-crop of prayers on their behalf!

Please join! 

 

On Finding Faith's Fortune

It's easy to 'be still' in the calm scenes of life

like soft snowfall at daybreak,

But all of life is not A Soft Snowfall

Today's poem is a prayer

because walking by faith never happens by accident. 

Today Lord, make my gladness whole, not with some outward sign

But, with your whispers, quench my soul, lest cursed, I thirst and pine

Help me be still and know that You are God; by faith, not sight

Open the eyes of my heart to Your wonder and delight

Remind me of Your kindness, whose full proof streams undeterred

Redeem me from my blindness to/through the riches of Your Word

Restore my soul to worship as I behold Calvary

Renew love's sacred courtship/rebuke each carnal courtship; create a clean heart in me

Though my spirit is willing, Lord, you know my flesh is weak

(Faith's fortune, though more thrilling than this world's, is hard to seek)

This world's allure is glamour-glossed but is death and hell's prey

My God, without counting the cost, help me choose You today

Lord, faith must all self-will resign; feeling and sight denied

Help me to make your promise mine; and thus, in peace reside

For you will keep in perfect peace the mind that trusts in You

All futile fear and worry cease as Your peace runs faith through

From Nazareth a Good Thing came; a child was born, Your Son

And Jesus is His holy name; Saviour for everyone

Lord, hope and joy need nothing more; surprise me once again

To find Faith's fortune, set/yet before, my chief delight. Amen

 © Janet Martin 

Ps.51:6-12

...Surely You desire truth in the inmost being;

You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

7Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones You have crushed rejoice.

9Hide Your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquities.

10Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

11Cast me not away from Your presence;

take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

and sustain me with a willing spirit...

Read the whole glorious chapter  HERE