When The Sigh That Seals Goodbye Is Breathed

 Have you begun yet...the evaluation of The Old,

The Resolution of The New?

If when the sigh that seals my cry is cast

And all accomplishment and charge is past

If, when the Author of life snuffs its wick

Like puff of wind across a candlestick

If, when the ebbing toll of day to day

Steals all but Intangible Soul away

If, when this speck of dust I trek and till

Is heaped up like a mole-hill, cold and still

If when the promises I vow to keep

And avid resolutions lie asleep

And all the happiness I held and sought

Is nothing more than someone else’s lot

If, when this glorious task of here and now

Is caught up in That Holy Undertow

Its fragments left with those I leave behind

To gather severed ends of ties that bind

If,when Time's Circumstantial Evidence

Has nothing left to show but recompense

After the Inevitable takes place

And plays its tear-notes on love’s downcast face

Please, may the groundwork where my footsteps fell

Serve those who follow then, and serve them well

May where I worked and wished and hoped and prayed

Be more than just a lot of lost noise made

And when the sigh that seals good-bye is breathed

I pray I leave love's noble Best bequeathed

When the ship called Forever hoists its mast

And seals the sigh that holds my farewell fast

© Janet Martin

Unwrapping the Best Gift Ever!

Most of the time I forgot to take pictures the past few days, 

simply enjoying the moments we planned and prepped for

and realizing how Love is the best gift of all,

even if it wields a double-edged blade!

...and wow, I love these people so much it hurts!(universal love-language of parents:)

Love; most estimable treasure

Best gift to give and possess

Begetter of pain and pleasure

Wonder, longing, happiness

Love; both fulfillment and hunger

Dream and duty intertwined

Summer’s winter, winter’s summer

Disappointment silver-lined

Love, an ear of kind compassion

Love, it cheers through common cares

Love, God’s mercy without ration

Love breaks hearts that love repairs

Love; life's universal mother

Love, a family of friends

Where we are all sister, brother

Where love forgives and amends

Love, ah, who can live without it?

Who could bear life’s fare alone?

Love, let’s do something about it

And simply love everyone

© Janet Martin

  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart 

and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

 Matt 22:36-40

Christmas Morning Hallelujah Hymn

Written as light of Christmas morning dissolved the dark!

It seemed like the perfect metaphor for a Christmas morning poem!

Wishing you all a heart of awe and wonder as we celebrate the birth of Jesus!

A Light dawns in the east

Hope’s hunger, veiled in dark

Spreads before want and need a feast

To satisfy the heart

The night of waiting ends

Love lends to earth His Son

And unto all the world extends

An invitation “come”

As Morning meets its mark

Wonder and worship swell

Deliverance dissolves the Dark

That leads to death and hell

Time tolls a doleful bell

Across death’s stomping grounds

But wait; through sorrow’s soulful knell

The Light of love resounds

Hope fills man’s howling hull

Where dread would be our lot

Mercy incomprehensible

Lends earth the Son of God

The bright and Morning star

Defies death’s darkest claim

He beams His Light to where we are

And Jesus is His name

Now strike tumbrels and lyres

And praise the God of Light

And sing just like the angel-choirs

On that first Christmas night

© Janet Martin

We also have the message of the prophets,
which has been confirmed beyond doubt.
And you will do well to pay attention to this message,
as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
2 Pet.1:19

A few of my favorite Christmas songs maybe a little less traditional or well-known...

In Search of Christmas Day

 Scott Woods included this poem on his Christmas Album
It is title #16. Check out his tour schedule to see if he is coming to a town near you or treat yourself to a new Christmas Album!

 

 T'was Christmas Eve and all through town the lights blinked red and green,
Snow was softly falling down where naked worlds had been,
Last minute shoppers rushed on home, discarding final lists,
While others packed up and left town to see dear folk they’d missed

Then, as I gazed on up the street I spied a form alone,
He wandered as if searching for something a long time gone,
He paused to view the festive scenes in windows twinkling bright,
Where ‘Merry Xmas’ signs were strung in honor of this night

Then up the silent street He trod, his steps were sad and slow,
Unlike the rush these walks had known a few short hours ago,
Past Santa’s smiling face he walked, past a twinkling Christmas tree,
Up to a window brightly lit where he could stand and see

Inside each person rushed about dreaming of Christmas day,
Dressing up the turkey or tucking last gifts away,
Dreaming of feasts, laughter and gifts, tables o’er-flowing with food
Trees laden down with presents for all, oh, what a holiday mood

Stockings were hung at the fireplace, everything was complete,
The table was set with cookies and milk for Santa’s special treat,
While folk all sang the Christmas carols and talked of Christmas cheer,
The stranger outside the window turned away and wiped a tear

'Tis true, he cried, tis awful truth, I see it all too well,
The reason why they choose to cross out that first syllable,
'Tis Merry Xmas, that is sure, the baby and Bethlehem’s star
Are simply vague traditions from the past, so faint and far

They’ve forgotten the ‘Christ’ is what this day is really all about,
That the true meaning is all gone if they choose to cross Him out,
They’ve forgotten, it is Christ, not Santa, that represents Christmas Day,
And in truth it is Merry Xmas if they choose to put him away

He wiped his tears and whispered, I’m sorry but I cannot stay here,
I simply do not feel at home amidst this festive cheer,
I watched him turn with broken heart and slowly walk away,
Twas then I saw the Man was Christ in search of Christmas Day

Janet Martin

Wishing all of you a beautiful, blessed Christmas of awe and wonder!

God bless you.

...and thank-you for dropping by this porch!

Fit For a King

Yesterday my to-do list kept me hopping from dawn til midnight...

I kept meaning to do a blog-post but with the planned and unplanned keeping me on my toes
all of a sudden yesterday turned into today...

Today the world is a glass-castle...enjoy  our out and about-ness!

Nature is clad like royalty

In crown and gown befitting Her

Diamond and star-dust filigree

On lowly frond and lofty fir

Nature heralds Creator God

From Him, through Him, for Him Her praise

Seraphim of breathtaking laud

Captivates man’s astonished gaze

Nature, subject to One puts on

Beauty; Her garb designed by He

Who sent to earth His only Son

As a ransom for you and me

Nature in every season hails

The Artist of sky, sea and sod

His is the love that never fails

Nature or man; Creator God

Then let us learn from nature, dear

Like minstrels formed of leaf and limb

Not just at Christmas but all year

Raise joyous songs of praise to Him

© Janet Martin

 For from him and through him and for him are all things. 

To him be the glory forever! 

Amen.
Romans 11:36

So, Let's celebrate!

Merry Christmas