A Small Town Christmas

Click on photo to enlarge

1. COZY homes all topped with snow.
Evenings with no place to go.
Sparkling snowflakes falling down,
softly covering the ground.
Smoke from chimneys circling high,
drifting to the starlit sky.
Warmed in front of blazing fire,
families sit and chat awhile.

2. Coffee, tea, HOT CHOCOLATE brews.
Fire light casts charming views.
Gentle sounding breeze outside,
makes it comfier inside.
Later reading as they rest.
Every home a cozy nest.
From the hearth comes crackling sounds.
In each heart such love abounds.
Restful sleep throughout the night.
Dreams take souls on peaceful flight.

3. Waking at the break of dawn,
with the rising of the sun.
BREAKFAST cooking with appeal.
All sit down to tasty meal.
Sweet aromas fill the air.
Meals begun with solemn prayer.
Christmastime brings special cheer,
when the holidays draw near.

4. People in the town prepare,
as their daily tasks they share.
BAKING cookies, pies, and tarts.
Soon the celebration starts.
Christmas morning here at last.
Anticipation now surpassed.
Packages beneath the tree
are all unwrapped on bended knee.

5. Smiles and twinkles on each face.
All receive a warm embrace.
Families gathering in church,
where each heart, for God, can search.
WALKING home then through the town,
past a snowman smiling down.
Luscious meals and tasty treats
all will be remembered feasts.
Hearts that treasure simple things,
a small town Christmas always brings!

One Lovely Starlit Night

Click on photo to enlarge

1. One lovely starlit night, there slept a little CHILD, dreaming peaceful dreams, with heart so meek and mild. Cradled in His mother’s arms, safe from worldly care, comforted and so secure just knowing she was there. 

2. In a lowly manger He was warmed by sheep and lambs. The ANIMALS drew closer to be near His little hands. As they watched Him lovingly, they snuggled closer still. Being in His presence gave their tender souls a thrill. How their poor hearts melted at the thought that Jesus chose, them to be the first to share His presence and repose. When the shepherds joined them such humility and love, filled that lowly stable strewn with graces from above. 

3. Tender hearted Joseph who was chosen from all men, to be the Savior’s guardian by His Father up in heaven, was the humblest man on earth and worthy to protect, the Son of God and offer Him the most profound respect. Mary purest maiden who would serve her infant son, cared for Him devoutly as His heart she deeply won. That was the first Christmas while a star shown bright above, the manger that was blest and filled with mystery and LOVE. 

4. In my solitude I travel there within my heart, reflecting on the graces He will lovingly impart. As I gaze into His eyes away from worldly care, I nestle in His presence and bow down in humble prayer: “Jesus meek and humble please stay with me ‘till the end. Be my dear companion and my everlasting friend. I will be your servant and will offer to mankind the love and PEACE that you instill within my soul and mind.” 

5. Keeping the first Christmas deep inside my heart I know that Jesus will stay close to me wherever I may go. In His gentle presence I will never be afraid, for all my sins and frailties He  generously paid. So my friend recall that on one lovely starlit night, there slept an Infant Savior who brought with Him endless LIGHT!

Bring a Little Sunshine

Click on photo to enlarge

1. Bring a little sunshine into every rainy day. It will chase away the clouds and brighten up your way. Put a little sunshine into every SMILE you give. It will lighten someone’s heart and change the way you live.

2. Bring some sunshine with you wherever you may go and scatter it with HAPPINESS to everyone you know. Just a pinch of sunshine that you add to every rain will brighten someone’s garden making flowers bloom again.

3. When you scatter sunshine you light a gloomy day. The clouds roll back.  The sun peeks out.  The heavens seem to say, “The sun is always shining above the clouds you know, so take a little sunshine with you EVERYWHERE you go!”

4. It all depends on whether you look up or down you see, so why not look above the clouds to where the sun will be. Then take a little sunshine every day right from the start, to plant a GARDEN of God’s love down deep within your heart. 

5. The flowers that will bloom there grown in soil rich with love, and watered with angelic grace of kindness from above, will bask within the warmth and sunshine of God’s tender care, to be a sweet reminder that His LOVE is always there!

God Only Calls the Saints

Click on photo to enlarge

1. God only calls the saints to bear His heavenly cross of love, for they have true compassion that our world is in need of. They teach us how to SACRIFICE ourselves for all mankind. Their strength to persevere is the most difficult to find. 

2. They view as very minuscule the things that weigh us down. It is within their VIRTUE that we see God’s love abound. When others give up hope the saints tread lightly on despair. They have the grace and sense to know that God is always there.

3. They easily abandon worldly things to God in love, and equally are showered with His blessings from above. They focus and do not lose sight of every prize and goal, since they are motivated by God’s STRENGTH which makes them whole. They go the extra mile as easily as others breathe and when we give up hope they never fail to believe. 

4. The saints on earth are often overlooked though God can see, their loving sacrifice enabling others to be free. Grace and courage are their banners clothing them in love, and when their lifetime ends they rise to GLORY high above.

5. Their greatness ceases not but shines for all the world to see, from God’s almighty throne through every age ETERNALLY ! Let us hail these wondrous souls who bless us with their love, and praise God for when we will live with them in heaven above! 

In the Garden of Gethsemane

Click on photo to enlarge 

1. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for you and me. Falling down upon His knees, God embraced His loving pleas. With a few disciples near He soon began to faint and FEAR.  

2. Anticipating certain DEATH He labored with each weary breath. suffering He would have to die while those He loved would wonder why.  Sweating even drops of blood, fear consumed Him as a flood.  His disciples were asleep while His concern grew ever deep.  

3. They awoke at His command. Their hour to pray was now at hand. How very seldom we reflect, and therefore we should not neglect, what took place that LONELY day when Jesus prayed our fears away.

4. He placed upon His cross our cares and to this day our SORROW bears. Desiring that we lean on Him He took away our every sin.  Giving us fullness of life His love dispels our doubt and strife. Go to Him and meditate His blessings and your wondrous fate!  

5. Ask Him to renew your heart. The time is now that you should start. In the SUFFERING of that hour, ponder Jesus' mighty power, and how He bid Satan flee, that night within Gethsemane!