Lord, As We Linger in the Presence of Christ's Sacred Birth, (A Christmas Prayer)

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. 

We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, 

who came from the Father, 

full of grace and truth.

From our House to Yours

Joyous Christmas Blessings~

Lord, as we come, like shepherds and wise men of old this morn

To gather in the stable where Christ, our Saviour was born

Waken a sweeter wonder as our gifts of worship ring

Renew a humbler hunger for the hope you came to bring

Lord, as we haste to see the Baby in a manger bed

And gaze on He who came as sin’s atonement in our stead

Impress on us anew love’s allotment of joy and grief

Then kindle purer gratitude, abolish unbelief

Lord, as we kneel before You, let the incense of prayers rise

In utter adoration, as we consider faith’s Prize

Deliver us from evil, tune our hearts to hear Your Voice

Where this dark world seeks to drown angel-anthems of 'rejoice!'

Lord, as we linger in the Presence of Christ’s sacred Birth

As You unveil Your glory in the highest to the earth

As we behold Your glory, full of grace and truth, Lord, then

Increase in us glad tidings of peace and goodwill. Amen

© Janet Martin

Luke 2:8-20

Glory in the Highest

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And [c]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 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. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a [d]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, goodwill[e] toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made [f]widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Joy to the World (Traditional)

Keep On!

Yesterday I attended the funeral of Wayne.

Friends and family received words of comfort and encouragement

as we reflected on a man, not perfect, but committed humbly

to honor God, though his lot in life was not what anyone would choose,

he desired above all to;

'fight a good fight, to run the course and to keep the faith, 

The service opened with the reminder that Wayne has done what still awaits all of us! 

He has met his Maker, but His Maker was/is also his Savior. 

We were challenged that the same may be true of us;

that when we meet God we will meet Him not only as our Maker 

but, as our Savior too!

The second speaker reminded family and friends 

that our God is a God of promises; 

He promises peace, 

He promises rest 

and He promises never to leave or forsake us. 

Sweet words of comfort esp. for Wayne's wife, children, Dad, siblings, etc.

...so, reflecting on a funeral at Christmas is not morbid

but in reality, is what the joy of Christmas is; Jesus, the hope of mankind

come to earth to be our Saviour

not for this brief life only, but to all who believe,

 forever and ever! Amen!

This reality makes our Christmas reflections more precious than ever!!

And rekindles faith's fervor to keep on till we too can say,

'I have fought the good fight, 

I have finished the race,

 I have kept the faith. 

8Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, 

which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day,

 and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

2 Tim.4:7-8

Keep on, we, not yet victorious

Upon Jesus fix faith’s eyes

For the joy still set before us

Keep on pressing to the prize

Keep on praying to keep seeking

God’s kingdom and righteousness

Keep on trusting, wholly leaning

Of His steadfast promises

Keep on looking to the Saviour

To imbue our walk and talk

To correct rebel behaviour

Lest we leave a stumbling block

Keep on casting cares on Jesus

Praise Him with each thought and breath

Until His last mercy frees us

From these bodies doomed to death

Keep on hoping, keep on loving

Every sin, humbly confess

Until the day of faith’s proving

Wins a crown of righteousness

Keep on with fixed dedication

To fight dark forces of sin

Until faith’s last invitation

Hears these blessed words ‘enter in’

© Janet Martin

Beholding Christmas (or Joy's Supremacy)

Isa.9:6-7

For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given,

and the government will be upon His shoulders.

And He will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7Of the increase of His government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on the throne of David

and over his kingdom,

to establish and sustain it

with justice and righteousness

from that time and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

***

The more we try the less it seems we can comprehend

the vastness of God's everlasting love!

That's why there are SO many poems and hymns

composed, trying to put into words

what words can never fully express-

of worship enough to fill eternity!

Hallelujah!

Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus

Behold the love/Son of God

Born for sin’s sacrifice

To bear hatred’s most cruel rod

To pay salvation’s price

Behold Bethlehem’s Boy

Redemption’s humble King

Who knew good tidings of great joy

Would cost Him everything

Behold, the Prince of Peace

Behold the zeal of He

Whose grief accomplished the increase

Of His/joy's supremacy

Behold Humility

Child of Mary’s travail

I AM fulfilling prophecy

In minutest detail

Behold, hope’s Star unfurled

Kneel at the manger, then

Behold, the Saviour of the world

Behold Christmas. Amen

Behold, a child is born

Behold, a Son is giv'n

To pierce hell's darkness with a Thorn

That lights the Wick of Heav'n

© Janet Martin

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Micah 5:4

And He shall stand and feed[a] His flock
In the strength of the Lord,
In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God;
And they shall abide,
For now He shall be great
To the ends of the earth;  

“He Shall Be Their Peace” - 12/22/2023

Hope's Stomping Grounds

Today's post is as bittersweet as they come...

My cousin Wayne, 

most recently mentioned in this post

is free from suffering at last!

Gathered to God on Monday, Dec.18

Ps.116:15

Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.

Recently I received the book below,

*Reflections of Jesus,

a gift from the author, as a way of saying thank-you!

(I am delighted to have the poem Bethlehem Star included in it)

When I received the news that Wayne passed away I picked up this book

and looked and looked at the painting on the cover

weeping sad-glad tears as I pictured him like this,

 Safe in the arms of Jesus.

His hurting is over!

Please pray for healing for the family 

as they mourn the loss of husband and father,

son, brother, etc.

as they bear both deep grief and deep relief!

'our loss is his gain' said a family member last night at the visitation.

 'a great wait/weight lifted at last' murmured his sorrow-worn wife

We mourn, but not as sorrow grieves, without hope, by God’s grace

The rending tear that death achieves and mortal eyes surmise

Does not reveal the Whole; the Unseen of faith’s resting place

As Sight, with no dark glass between beholds The Promised Prize

As God, gathers a suffering Soul into eternity

Healed from the hurts that take their toll on this side of death’s door

Freed from the weight of waiting for the Final Victory

Beyond futile debating of life’s why-when-and-wherefore

How precious in the sight of God is the death of His saints

For eye has not seen nor ear heard the things he has prepared

For those who love Him; thus, no bitter barter tunes or taints

The tears that flow, because through Christ the Soul from hell is spared

The interim that Time employs until this life is through

And loss no longer vexes joys with Heaven’s sweetest gains

Is but Hope’s Stomping Grounds, a tie that Heaven will undo

When in the twinkling of an eye, death rends life’s binding chains

Then, comfort one another with the hope in Christ alone

God hears our prayers and mothers our sorrow-broken hearts

He tromps Hope's Stomping Grounds with us, (not one step on our own) 

Until the hope found/bound in Jesus, faith's finished fabric parts  

© Janet Martin

May we all make our calling sure while time is still on our side!

May the reason for the Christmas Season become profoundly dearer

as we believe, and receive the inheritance 

only the Saviour of the Soul will/can give;

Living Hope

Rom.15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Thess.4:13-18

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren,

concerning those who have fallen [b]asleep,

lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,

even so God will bring with Him those who [c]sleep in Jesus.

15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,

that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord

 will by no means precede those who are [d]asleep.

16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,

with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.

And the dead in Christ will rise first.

17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up

together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

18Therefore comfort one another with these words.

*if you would like to order the book

Reflections of Jesus

click here- Jim Horsley Fine Art

We Are All Children (at Christmas Time)

we were counting cookies, one, two, three

when someone stole the cherries!

H-m-m-m, who could it be 😂💗

this poem is a mingling of past, present and future

part recollection, part participation

and part anticipation 😋😊💖

Arms open wide to big hugs of hello

Breath hangs on air, breathless with stars of snow

Scents from the kitchen delight young and old

(We are all children when licking out bowls)

Love looks for ways to fit into a box

Dollies and teddy bears, books, balls and blocks

New socks, odd gadgets, bubble bath, wind chime

(We are all children at gift-giving/getting time)

Tins fill with many a sugary prize

Budget and extravagance compromise

Cook-space grows crowded, taste-testers abound

(We are all children where cookies are found)

Christmas hymns kindle heart-hearths with love’s joy

We thrill as gladness spills from girl and boy

Joy to the World, Silent Night, Deck the Halls

(We are all children while singing those car’ls )

Hark! hear that glorious story again

Gaze at the angels, shepherds and wise men

Kneel at the manger, be wondrously awed

For, we are all children when gazing at God

© Janet Martin

Hark! hear that glorious story again

Gaze at the angels, shepherds and wise men

Kneel at the manger, be wondrously awed

For, we are all children when gazing at God

This Christmas, As I Come To Gaze (At Thy Nativity)

Recently a message I listened to contained the caution that we, as believers 

should guard against getting caught up in romanticizing the Nativity, 

easily possible when charmed by enchanting figurines... 

Sometimes, in this age of 'progressive thinkers' some so-called believers

assume the 'perks' and promises of salvation, 

God's favors and blessings 

without first entering through the Door 

of true repentance which leads to obedience. 

May we, as we search the scriptures, 

ask God to open the eyes of humbled hearts 

to seek and know the full truth of what we 'most surely believe'...

Today's poem began as I pondered parts of Luke 1.

Dear Jesus,

This Christmas as I come to gaze

At Thy nativity

May no vain thought hinder my praise

Or mar my love for Thee

With childlike faith without dispute

With stubborn will undone

With worship in spirit and truth

May I behold Thy Son

The Saviour of the World, first laid

in lowly feeding trough

Thy holiest of holy Babe

No kingly splendor sought  

That none should envy how You came

nor covet Thy renown 

The King of kings, in mortal frame 

From Heaven's throne, stepped down

Then, as I bring my gift of love

To Thy nativity

Impress on me the shadow of

the cross/Gate of Calvary

Amen~

  Janet Martin

  

To Rich and Poor Alike

More money buys more things,

but never more hope, peace, joy, Jesus, or more Heaven-status!

The way to heaven is ever the same; a gift,

 for rich and poor alike

accessible through faith, 

by God's grace alone

through Himself,

His Son, Jesus!

Who is Jesus?

Below, the link to one of six messages on who Jesus is!

Who Is Jesus? (Part 4 of 6) - 12/16/2023

The message below begins with this statement;

'There was a time when Jesus was God but not man,

But there never was a time when He was man, but not God'

  

Matt 1:21

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS,

 for He will save His people from their sins.”

To rich and poor alike He comes

to grant to each the same

The hope that transcends time’s fleet sums;

Salvation through His Name

Where nothing but faith can esteem

the gift that makes us whole

No mortal merit can redeem

the price tag of the soul

No wealth can gain a greater grace,

nor lack a lesser part

Where man regards fine form and face

God looks upon the heart

And rich and poor alike receive

what only faith can win

To all who repent and believe,

the forgiveness of sin

© Janet Martin

Faith's Perfect Provision

In a week from today, (Christmas!)

Christians will be celebrating the birth of the Object of our faith;

our Lord Jesus Christ!

Luke 2:10-11

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: 

for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,

 which shall be to all people.

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David

 a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Romans 5:1

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, 

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hallelujah!!!

Yesterday morning a plea in the opening prayer at our church service

caught at my heart...'that You would find us faithful, Lord'!!

What is the use of anything else, if He does not find us faithful?!!

Matt.24:13

But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Does this not bid us plead for Sunday morning's fire

to kindle Monday morning's desire?!!

Doesn't it bring fresh zeal/appeal to this old, cherished Christmas hymn??

Oh, Come All Ye Faithful

So this morning, no matter what composes our fears, regrets and sorrows

we may rejoice and be glad in this day He has made...

for He who promised is faithful!!

Heb.10:19-23

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence 

to enter the Most Holy Placed by the blood of Jesus, 

20by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,e

21and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

  22let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,

 having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience 

and our bodies washed with pure water.

23Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, 

for He who promised is faithful.

***

Enough to know, though sorrow scores the garment of the soul

And the enemy of faith roars, still, God is in control

The witness of each thought and intent of the heart, is kind

His everlasting love is not a figment of the mind

But is, in every circumstance, a Present Help indeed

To all who trust in Him, He grants exactly what we need

Then, where care’s billows ebb and flow, joy and peace still console

Because, it is enough to know that God is in control

Thus, all contenders for the faith have no cause for despair

God’s full armour will keep us safe to persevere through prayer

For He is in control no matter how the Whole may bend

The Shepherd of the Soul helps us be faithful to the end

© Janet Martin