Let Joy Ring Through the World

I hope you all had a wonderful day...

Here it felt like it went from morning

... to night in no time at all!!

Let joy ring through the world

The light of life is born

The One the prophets long foretold

Has put on human form

The hope of nations cries

A Babe in manger bed

Unveils God’s face before man’s eyes

As God and man are wed

The heights of Heaven bend

To dredge the depths of death

A gift man cannot comprehend

Has drawn salvation’s breath

Then praise the Name of He

Who saves us from our sins

So death/hell does not seize victory

When End of Days begins

Let worship’s song resound

As we rejoice and pray

Glad tidings of great joy abound

Even unto this day

Then bow with heart undone

Before our God of grace

Because He gave His only Son

To die in our place

...and make God's glory/love's story known

That angels still applaud

The King of kings stepped from His throne

To be the Lamb of God

© Janet Martin

Hallelujah, though colorful cookies are a nice, sweet

celebration treat

Christmas is SO much more!

It is the celebration of mankind's hope 

we tell to our children so they may tell their children!

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.

Snowbound!

We are in the thick of a blizzard! 

Stay safe and warm!

Now is the hour of reprieve

When every sprig becomes a sheave

Bent with a brumal burst of stars

When featherdown bedecks earth’s bars

As each snow-swaddled house and yard

Composes a vintage post-card

And every home becomes more sweet

When gales go howling down the street

And happiness is safe and sound

When we are cozy and snowbound

When window-frames are works of art

That only winter can impart

When mugs of steaming luxury

Are like hugs of coffee and tea

When nothing presses to be toiled

When we are awe and wonder spoiled

As nature brushes slopes awry

And swirls the scope of land and sky

With wild beauty, while tempests hound

And rile plans with two words; snowbound

Now books are like frigates unfurled

From fireside nooks, across the world

Because, ink snared in verbal font

Can take us anywhere we want

Like travelers who need no fare

To reserve a room or a chair

Clad in comfy flannel and fleece

As we are filled with joy and peace

While wild winds wail, pummel and pound

The storm-tossed seas we sail; snowbound

Soup pots simmer with five-star meals

Thankfulness bows our heads and feels

A hymn no words can capture, quite

As worlds are blurred with white on white

As we pray for the brave who bear

The elements, for creature care

While we are safe and sound and glad

For woodpiles heaped, feet slipper-clad

While winter wonderlands confound

We who are home-sweet-home-snowbound

Now is the hour of content

How swift the gift of came-and-went

Of so-it-goes, this-too-shall-pass

While we peer through snow-swaddled glass

To watch the birds and then recall

‘God sees the little sparrow fall’

Then to let smiles and laughter cheer

The solace of sweet home so dear

While we are snug and safe and sound

In hours of reprieve, snowbound

© Janet Martin

The First Christmas Morn

Here-Hope, Joy and Peace

This morning I received a card and letter from my cousin's family,

(Wayne and Sherri) who have been going through a deep and ongoing 

valley of trial for many years. (Wayne has MS, diagnosed after an accident

leading to the loss of his leg in 2012)

He is a dad of four children.

 He is now 49 years old.

The letter is a profound picture of refined faith and constant surrender

as they adapt to life with their dearly beloved

husband and dad in a long-term care facility,

and the heart-wrenching hurdles of love!!

Sherri closes the letter with words that bravely allow us

 a glimpse into a world of broken dreams

held fast by resolution for continued trust...

Below's excerpt shared with permission from Sherri💝🙏

As I pondered the words we use so freely, especially at Christmas;

words like hope, joy and peace I was impacted by how, without the weathered landscape of 

hardship those words would hold no special meaning.

How life's disappointments, sorrows and storms make sacred and dear

these precious words possible by the grace of God; Hope, joy and peace!

Wayne and Sherri's family has taken up permanent residence in my prayers for 

strength for their days and a sense of Immanuel in their lives!

...as this poem was penned  I couldn't help but cry as she shared 

a peek into their world with these words...

'I tell you these things not to gain attention or pity for myself,

but to give you a glimpse into our everyday life'.

She also shared utter gratefulness for God's faithful provision

through His followers and so many people who help!!

How hopeless our 'everyday life' would often be

without the comfort and counsel of God's word

and the company and friendships of his family here on earth!

***

Here oft joy bears bitter splendor ‘neath the weight of sorrow’s cross

Here oft hope groans with surrender on the testing grounds of loss

Here oft perfect peace is baffled by the brokenness we see

In the valley of the shadow of death’s sacred certainty

Here the devil would defeat us as we press toward The Prize

But for God’s Word; here He meets us to attend to longing’s cries

Here He reaches through the darkness with an Everlasting Light

Softens the heart’s would-be hardness with fresh courage for the fight

Here the fainting soul is strengthened as we feast on Living Bread

Here His outstretched arm is lengthened as His precious child is fed

Here His awesome power surges, chides man’s motives, prone to pride

Promise after promise purges pleas where need and want confide

Here He shows us how to follow when the way we cannot see

How to nestle in the hollow of hands scarred at Calvary

Here He lifts us from the mire of fear, dread, doubt and despair

Here He purifies desires that would hinder our prayer

Here the hope of nations rallies soldiers of the cross of Christ 

Here He guides us through the valleys where idols are sacrificed 

Here, while the world frowns and borrows trouble with unceasing noise

Here His whisper crowns our sorrows with hope's everlasting joys    

Here faith’s flick’ring candle steadies, here spent spirits are renewed

Here life’s gracious Giver readies us with awe-struck gratitude

Where joy, hope and peace must weather what yet waits, Trust humbly hails

God’s goodness; His mercy tethers us to love that never fails

© Janet Martin

...with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; 

His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:12

As we are drawn to the wonder of manger 

may we simultaneously be drawn to the triumph at the cross!

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

Near to the Heart of God

Miracle-worker

As I prayed about the various uncertainties that life runs rife with

no matter who or where we are, my prayer became a plea

for God to work a miracle of steadfast trust/faith in me.

Many today are hoping for a weather-miracle!!

This morning's weather headlines are no joke,

and we should pay attention!

God's Word is full of warnings too

and we should pay attention!

It is hard to hear Him, isn't it,

without the comfort and caution of His Word in our hearts

to guide, cheer and equip us for the fight of faith!

May the miracle of trust in God's unfailing promises

transform our outlook and attitude!

In all things giving thanks with awed sincerity

Where the framework of circumstance is but the part we see

Oh, pray that in the Must of dust-to-dust’s ado

That God would work a miracle of trust in me and you

With vision undeterred, not to be ruled by fear

But through the power of His Word, to feel God’s presence near

Then, with hope’s strength renewed, oh pray for the increase

Of miracles of gratitude to instill joy and peace

© Janet Martin

2 Cor.4:18

...while we do not look at the things which are seen,

 but at the things which are not seen. 

For the things which are seen are temporary, 

but the things which are not seen are eternal.

O, come All Ye Faithful-Don Williams

Life's Best Gifts...

Today was bittersweet; the last day for one of the tots in my childcare

because he is going to be a big brother soon!

But oh, what a day it was!

... a medley of messes and music!

Beginning with a most spectacular unveiling...

...and as much as I miss the tots when they leave,

 I miss their moms just as much (if not more)!

because they've become dear friends forever!

Life’s best gifts do not fit inside a box

But often take us by tender surprise

As what appears quite commonplace unlocks

A vault of wealth dressed in darling disguise

Of innocence of little girls and boys

Reminding us of childhood’s purest joys

Of happiness gift-wrapped in mess and noise

And beauty we don’t always recognize

…until the past claims its inherent due

With age old ways that stun us constantly

Exchanging what we are accustomed to

For something new to startle you and me

Reminding us to live-laugh-love-and-pray

To take the time to treasure each today

Because The Present is a gift; its tray

Laden without tomorrow’s guarantee

The gifts that fit in boxes bring us cheer

And let a loved one know that they are prized

But the gifts that we hold forever dear

Are often hug and smile and teacup-sized

As hours like flower gardens unfold

Lavish extravagance of moment-gold

Granting gifts that only the heart can hold

With what is often commonplace-disguised

We often wonder at the way time flies

Like feet wearing holes through new pairs of socks

The thunder of What Was mingles with sighs

Of thankfulness for what today unlocks

In skylines running rife with life to seize

Before morn’s frame is filled with memories

Where sooner or later each heart agrees

Life’s best gifts do not fit inside a box

The gifts we cherish most are works of art

Forged into friendships from life’s highs and lows

The keepsakes that we cradle in the heart

Are love’s most fond and favored mementos

Of what at first glance may seem like not much

Just work and play and hope and pray and such

Until we slow enough to taste and touch

Too many gifts to count, that grace bestows

© Janet Martin

Of what at first glance may seem like not much

Just work and play and hope and pray and such...

below, in the summer, her favorite snack is popsicles!

in the winter I think her favorite snack is icicles😍

Every good and perfect gift is from above...

James 1:17

Like Velvet Tulle

Below is a paragraph from the study page for the leaders

of last Sunday's Sunday School lesson...

sound encouragement/wisdom to live by

as we dwell on the theme of faithfulness!

'We can’t undo the past, but we can be decisively committed to the next step, 

the next moment, and the next opportunity.

What if you committed to faithfulness one day at a time?

 And what if your faithfulness marked the people around you in significant ways? 

Then I would imagine that your faithfulness 

will lead to future opportunities for greater influence.

Don’t waste today.

Be faithful to your purpose 

to live as the salt of the earth 

and the light of the world.

And God will use you today and, Lord willing, 

multiply your efforts and opportunities tomorrow.' -The Gospel Project

Since last Thursday our area is an ice-and-snow castle!!

Like velvet tulle the crepuscule of night dissolves; it falls

Like paper from a gift that lifts the darkness from earth’s halls

Like whispers of mercy and love brushing shadows awry

Like a fresh sheet beneath our feet that reaches to the sky

Like smiles across the miles that toss barges of want and need

Like little boats or music notes that bob and press and plead

Like melodies in symphonies where seasons rise and fall

Like music bars or shooting stars or like a madrigal

To fill that cast of Almost Past with what none should ignore

Today; the place where by God’s grace it spills from shore to shore

To set the stage, where age to age the fruit of choice becomes

At that last breath the life and death of very sacred sums

When, like soft tulle the crepuscule of time and grace will fade

Like mist upon the Sealed Bygone of choices we have made

© Janet Martin

Psalm 51:15-17

O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

Let's Talk Today About Good News

Some Good News songs and a poem to kick off the week leading to

The manger, the cross and the empty tomb!

Leading us from despair to hope,

from darkness to Light

from hell to Heaven!

 Noel, Noel-(2022 remake)

Agnus Dei-Michael Smith

 

God Made Low

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

John 1:4

Note of 'non-apology'!: 

it was really hard to reign in the Good News surge of pure joy!💖🙏

Let’s talk today about the things that bring us hope and joy

The song the angels sang still rings with truth none can destroy

Where unto us was born that day, a Saviour, Christ the Lord

And nothing in the world can sway the soundness of God’s Word

And nothing can annul the gift that gladdens death’s dark toll

Time cannot change nor tempest shift the anchor of the soul

Nor dim the Light of men that darkness cannot overcome

In Him is life and that life is the Rock of Christendom

The breath of the believer and the faith that makes us whole

The bane of the deceiver and the beauty of love's goal

The Good News of salvation is greater than headline gloom

The Author of creation did not leave us in sin’s doom

But gave His Son to save us from a debt we could not pay

The precious blood of Jesus Christ washes our guilt away

And cleanses us from all unrighteousness when we confess

God fits us for faith’s fight with his abiding promises

He leads us not into temptation but delivers us

From awful condemnation for all those in Christ Jesus

Let’s walk the Way He taught, faith’s humble devotion to prove

Let’s talk today about God and His everlasting love

Let’s count with grateful gladness all the blessings grace bestows

And counter this world’s madness full of wolves dressed in sheep’s clothes

Wise in their own eyes they deny the cross that faith must bear

And reason truth into a lie and pride into a prayer

Without repentance and belief; oh, pray they see the Light

And weep because  joy crowns our grief, for He gave us the right

To become His dear children, if we believe in His name

No longer slaves of Satan but heirs of Christ's glorious claim

Thus faith abounds with hope and joy, through the power of He

Whose Spirit, grace and truth’s alloy, secures death’s victory

Let’s talk about Emmanuel; God with us constantly

His goodness and mercy the wellspring of eternity

His perfect peace to all whose minds and hearts are stayed on Him

Let’s talk about the Good News and drink from fountains that brim

With glad tidings that bad news cannot keep from coming true

Let’s talk about God’s love and choose to love Him through and through

Because no matter what betide, God works for our good

He knows our need and will provide, though oft misunderstood

Because of what faith’s testing brings while trouble has its day

Ah, let’s talk about heav’nly things that never fade away

© Janet Martin

Prepare Him Room