12th Day of Christmas: Lullaby for a Savior

SONG:
Close your eyes in the dark of this night
midst the rustling of angel flight,
under the stars I have set to illumine
Your first fleeting moments of being human.
Rest in the arms that You have created,
though divine thoughts for now are faded,
stilled by the moment of redemption begun,
covered with the swaddling of flesh and bone.

Sleep, my Beloved, in silent, trusting peace
knowing not the things yet to be.
But, somewhere in your soul, in deep infant thought,
may You embrace the plan in love I have wrought.

Hush now, my Son, the lips that one day
will teach my people and proclaim the Way.
Dry the tears that soon will flow free
for a generation with eyes that can’t see.
Still, dear One, the hands that years hence
will heal the blind, and lepers cleanse.
Rest, precious Child, the feet that will grow
to walk a hill, salvation to bestow.

Sleep, my Child, and let Your thoughts deepen,
for the dreams You are dreaming are memories of heaven –
Visions of glory, of light, of truth.
Time will reawaken the diety in You.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the heavens
the angels were silent in anticipation.
For centuries they had waited for such a special flight,
and now it would happen this very night.

In the throne room the Father talked with His Son
of dreams and desires and what was to come.
“My Son, I’ve loved them since breathing their life,
and for years they’ve suffered with sin and strife.
Now it’s time to offer them relief,
for the groan of their sorrow is more than I can take.”

“Oh, Father, I’ve begun to feel their yearning
even before I take my journey.
The weight of their burden is heavy on my back.
I can almost feel the sting of their attacks.
Inside me the sadness of leaving burns,
but, Father, I can bring them when I return.”

“Yes, we’ll be united with our bride.
She’ll no longer have a reason to hide.
And, you’ll return to me, this I know.
But now, my love, You must go.
Gabriel!  Come!  Assemble your band.
For the birth of My Son is now at hand.”

With the stroke of His hand He split the sky.
As He watched the departure He heaved a sigh,
for He knew the sin His Son would endure
and the punishment of death–His suffering was sure.
But, this night all of heaven would rejoice
as they hailed the mystery of the Master’s choice
to limit Himself to the form of a babe
to bring reunion with those He would save.
So as He dripped a star from His fingertips
praises rang from the angels’ lips,
but the Father was quiet, a tear on His cheek
from the painful price required for peace.
And, from the joy He saw in ages to come,
when all His children would join Him at home.

So this night before Christmas as you drift to sleep,
and He sends His hosts with protection and peace,
may you keep His love for you well in sight,
and Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

11th Day of Christmas: Song of Fulfillment

SCENE:
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon… And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  And he came by the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou has prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. (Luke 2:25-32)

SYNTAX:
Fulfill.
to measure up to satisfy; to bring to an end, 
Complete 

SONG:
For hundreds of years prophets foretold
that a Savior would come to save our souls.
He would be a king, mighty and strong.
Glory and power to Him would belong.
The government would rest on Him,
and He would deliver us all from sin.
In His kingdom sorrow would cease,
an everlasting Father, the prince of peace.

Today I’ve seen him, though just a babe,
the One, the Messiah who’s come to save.
My heart leaped within me when I saw the child,
the One I’ve been waiting for all my life.
Of all the accomplishments, my work, my faith,
my life’s greatest hope has been realized today.
And whatever hence my life may yield,
thank you that I could see your promise fulfilled.

“Toy Packaging”

I just heard this song by Sara Groves, and I think all Mommies around the world will unite with me [and Sara] in denouncing the accursed TOY PACKAGING!  Yes, let us stand together in one accord and say, ” I will not be beaten… by TOY PACKAGING!  Though toddlers and mommies alike are brought to simultaneous holly jolly tears by the barrage of twisty ties, plastic wing nuts, grommets, and [!] screws standing between ripped wrapping paper and contented play, we will not succumb to TOY PACKAGING.  Yes, armed with a phillips head screwdriver, a Coke and the toll free number for Consumer Reports, we shall overcome… TOY PACKAGING!  You sing it, Sara.

“Nothing makes me lose my cool like 
Toy packaging 
Ask the kids to leave the room for 
Toy packaging 
I have no choice the money’s spent 
I’ve worked for hours to make a dent 
I guess it’s anger management 
Toy packaging 

Nothing makes me lose my cool like 
Toy packaging 
Ask the kids please leave the room it’s time for 
Toy packaging 
I’m drawing up a battle plan 
to extricate this robot man 
My self-esteem is in the can 
Toy packaging 

In the old days you could hold a box and shake it 
And hear the pieces rattling around 
My eyes tear up with these grommets, tape and twisty ties 
Remembering their beautiful sound 

Toy Packaging 
I love Toy Packaging 
(Mom! Honey!) 

Nothing makes me lose my cool like toy packaging 
Kids you really need to leave the room, mom’s opening toy packaging 
I’m sorry you have to see this sight 
You must be brave, no please don’t cry 
I promise it will be alright 
I hope to have it by tonight 
Nevermind this dynamite 
Toy packaging”

Ha! and double Ha!

By the way, you can download this song along with the stunning “Joseph’s Lullaby” by Mercy Me legally and for FREE at this site:  www.freeccm.com  It’s available for a limited time, I think, but it’s a great site to check each month.

10th Day of Christmas: Song of Wonder

SCENE:
Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

SYNTAX:
Wonder.
to have feelings of awe or admiration,
Marvel

SONG:
I wonder what kind of boy He will be.
Will He enjoy running and climbing trees?
I wonder what will be His favorite toy
or game He will play with other boys.

I wonder what plans God has in store
to accomplish His purpose with this little boy.
Will He be loved and accepted by men?
Even as a child, will they know who He is?
Will He be a king, mighty to save?
Will He be a prophet, pointing the way?
To the task, years of kings and prophets weren’t equal.
So, what will it take to save His people?

I wonder holding Him in my arms,
will I be able to keep Him from harm?
It’s what parents hope in a world of strife
but, Lord I trust You to guard His life.

SEARCH:
I have been so intrigued by Mary this Christmas season.  Maybe it’s because Baby Girl is almost 4 months old, and I guess I’m a little more reflective this year than I was when Squiggle was an infant during the holidays.  I’ve really been trying to identify with Mary as a mother and not just as the religious icon she’s come to be today.  The angel’s message about the child she would carry must have been both awe-inspiring and overwhelming all at once.  I’m sure she was like all mothers, full of hopes and dreams for her little bundle of joy.  

It’s a huge stretch of the imagination to consider Jesus as a boy, playing with friends, running and jumping, and giving hugs like my boys do.  The Bible doesn’t tell us much about His childhood, and I suppose we are so conditioned to think about Him as the teacher and healer revealed in the New Testament that we forget He actually did grow up.  He learned to crawl and walk and talk like all babies do.  I’m sure Mary looked at him with the same eyes full of wonder and heart overflowing with love that I use when I see my children.  What did she think of the angel’s declaration that He would be God’s Son and that His kingdom would have no end?  How did she imagine it would come to pass as the years went by?  Did she share the experience with Him?  Did she forget about it?  Did she have an inkling of what it meant? I’m sure she cringed the same way I do at the thought of them every being hurt or alone or broken.

And yet, He was hurt and left alone and broken. No doubt the scene she saw standing at the foot of the cross as she watched her beloved dying was far from her wildest ponderings on the night of His birth.  I can hardly bear to even think of the sorrow she must have born–there to the end as He made such a great sacrifice for her and all mankind.  We’re not told, but I hope she saw Him that Sunday morning three days later.  I hope she touched Him and kissed Him again.  I hope she saw the fruition of God’s blessing on her womb.  I’m certain she sees Him now–her son and Savior.