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QUIET NOW Quiet now Listen to the snow Fall upon the ground Falling, falling Covering every fault I ever had Softly, tenderly, quietly From the hand of God Blessed be the Christ-child Who became a holy man Filled with sorrow and despair All because of sin From the hearts of men Triumphant in the end As angels sang alleluia Amen and amen and amen (Written on Christmas morn, 2014)
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LUKE 2:1-20 THE CHRISTMAS STORY And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed, And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and linage of David--to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 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. And this shall be a a sign unto you: ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace good will toward men. 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. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But, Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told unto them. LET'S KEEP CHRISTMAS (1977) Let's keep Christmas But how, you say Why we may only keep Christmas As we give it away To the lonely be a comfort To the cynic be true The gifts of the magi Must be delivered by you To those who have wandered A guidepost toward right To those who are seeking A beacon of light No fancy jewels Or sermons will do If you wish to keep Christmas The gift must be you Let's keep Christmas There's only one way We may only keep Christmas As we give it away WHOA Gothenburg is a small pretty little town about fifty miles east of North Platte, Nebraska. The folks here take pride in showing off the tiny way station that was used by many a Pony Express riders during the years 1860-61. Delivering the mail in those parts at that time was considered to be highly risky. In fact, one advertisement read... "Wanted, young, skinny, wiry fellows not over 18. Must be expert riders willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred." While at the station, my wife bought me a little money pouch. On the outside are stamped these words..."My husband's allowance." Hmmm, I wonder if she's trying to tell me something. (The above artical is one of a series of articles we wrote while taking what became known to our family in 1977 as our Great Western Trek, as we travelled from Maryland to Utah.) PSALM 43:1,3,4,5 Judge Me O God and plead my cause against an ungodly nation O deliver me from the deceitful man For thou art the God of my strength Why dost thou cast me off? O send out thy light and thy truth Let them lead me Let them bring me Unto thy Holy Hill and to thy tabernacles Then will I go Unto the alter of my God Unto God my exceeding joy Yea Upon the harp will I praise thee O God, My God A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW No matter how far we have travelled No matter how far we have roamed There's a light in the window that beckons Calling and guiding us home Sometimes during life's journey When misfortunes have laid us quite low 'Tis only a light in the window That illumines our path with its glow We may wander astray if we wish to Down trails of pathos and sin But there'll still be a light in the window Lighting our path as a friend Oh, there's a light in the window that's shining It's shining for you and for me Placed there by the Lord of all lanterns For all, who would, to see (The following is one of a series of articles we wrote while taking what became known to our family in 1977 as our Great Western Trek, as we travelled from Maryland to Utah.) SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS This quiet, small town was the Mr. Lincoln's last home prior to his leaving to serve in the White House. We visited Lincoln's home, his law office, and his tomb. In addition to his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, three of Lincoln's sons are entombed with him in Springfield. Edward (Eddie) Lincoln, 1846-1850, died in Illinois a month before his fourth birthday. William (Willie) Lincoln, 1850-1862, died at the age of 11 while living in the White House. Thomas (Tad) Lincoln, 1853-1871, died at the age of 18, while living in Chicago. Robert Todd Lincoln, 1843-1926, was the Lincolns' last child. He died at the age of 82 and is entombed at Arlington National Cemetery. President Lincoln will always be remembered for his character, virtues, and accomplishments. PSALM 42:1,5,8 As the hart panteth after the water brooks So panteth my soul after thee, O God Why art thou cast down, O my soul and why art thou disquieted in me Hope thou in God For I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime And in the night his song shall be with me and my prayer unto the God of my life OUT OF THE TUNNEL Out of the tunnel Into the light Hello to sunshine Goodbye to the night Farewell to wrong doing We cling to the right Victory is ours If we'll stay in the fight FIVE MINUTES IN LIBERTY (The following is one of a series of articles we wrote while taking what became known to our family in 1977 as our Great Western Trek, as we travelled from Maryland to Utah.) We are writing this article in a corner of a quiet quiet western library (in Liberty, Missouri, just a few miles northeast of Kansas), as we wait for our wife, Donna, to pick us up within the next few minutes or so, as soon as she finishes shopping. (Okay, okay, so I'm an optimist). We really don't understand Einstein's theory of relativity very well, but we are cognizant of the passage of time during birthdays, funerals, or on New Year's eve. And, we are well aware that a five minute segment of time often, seemingly, has the ability to speed up or slow down depending on how our minds are engaged. (Have you ever noticed we can say slow down or slow up and the words make sense in both cases. But, we can't say speed down?) Our lives don't often go by one year at a time, but rather in five minute (or even one minute) segments. Within some five minute segments of our lives, most of us choose... our occupations, our spouses, our highest level of education and, indeed, our philosophy of life. Our behavior within the present five minutes segment, when added to other segments, forms and molds our future character and circumstances So, what shall we do...with our next five minutes? |
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