All Praise to Thee (Repost)

All praise to Thee, eternal Lord,
clothed in a garb of flesh and blood.
Choosing a manger for Thy throne, 
while worlds and worlds are Thine alone.

A little child, Thou wast our guest,
yet in Thy love our hearts find rest.
Humble and lowly was Thy birth, 
that we might rise to heaven from earth.

All this Thy love for us hath done,
by this our love to Thee is won.
For this we tune our cheerful lays 
and shout our thanks in ceaseless praise.

fpn/1969
This was written as a song. For a copy of the music, contact Joyce


Artwork: "Adoration of the Shepherds" by Gerard van Honthorst, 1622, from Wikimedia Commons

Oh, Precious Mystery (Repost)

Oh, precious mystery, that my Creator,
who fills the universe—earth, sea and sky—
came to be born within a lowly stable,
on manger bed in swaddling clothes did lie.

Oh, precious mystery, what matchless glory
and boundless wealth Christ Jesus left behind;
though He was rich beyond all comprehension,
bore pain and poverty with lowly mind.

Oh, precious mystery, with life eternal,
He tasted death on earth for you and me;
though He was buried, yet He rose triumphant
and lives today to set sin's captives free.

Refrain:
Oh, precious mystery, the High and Holy
who fills the universe—earth, sea and sky—
The great "I AM," who spoke the worlds to being,
for me He came, to suffer and to die.

fpn/1963
This poem is set to music as song #13 in "Sing and Give Thanks"
Contact Joyce for a copy.



Artwork: "Adoration of the Child" by Gerard van Honthorst, 1620, from Wikimedia Commons

The Unbelievable Miracle (repost)

The Unbelievable Miracle—
to the natural mind

“A sign…spoken against” Luke 1:34

This Child. . . is for a sign
which some will hate—deny!
And others will, defending it,
if need be, choose to die.
Because there rests upon this,
our sure eternal hope,
and for the present hour,
the strength with life to cope.

“A virgin shall conceive!”
’Tis said, “Can never be!”
yet science cannot side-step
the facts of history.
The prophecy made audible
seven hundred years before;
and holy men confirmed it—
their faithful witness bore.

This whole world is divided,
the camps are only two;
the virgin-birth of Jesus
is the issue clear and true.
We cannot say, “God with us,”
if this we dare deny;
God gave the sign—believe it!
Or reject, and you must die!

fpn/undated



Art: Kissing the Face of God by Morgan Weistling

Our Matchless Lord (Repost)

Royalty, born in a stable
with no regal robes to wear.
Wrapped in bands, oft used as grave clothes.
He would die, our sins to bear.

Paradox beyond explaining
that the highest of the high
chose to live in flesh among us,
learning what it is to cry.

Strategy of God, victorious,
subtle enemies to foil;
ruthless tyrants thus evading,
identified with men of toil.

Sinless spirit - human body -
with no taint of sin or guile,
demonstrating that one human
did live justly all the while.

Prophecies of old fulfilling,
so precisely - not a few
giving details of his coming -
life, death, resurrection, too.

Mystery - that his great power
so transforms a sinful soul,
changing lives from loss to profit,
untamed drives to self-control.

Destiny? There's no more guessing.
Heaven and earth shall both be new.
Christ came down to live among us.
We shall rise when life is through.

fpn 12/82




Photo by Ryan Graybill on Unsplash

The Prince of Peace (Repost)

In Bethlehem, one holy day
slept God’s own Son on bed of hay.
The virgin-born, sin’s debt would pay;
the Christ, the Prince of Peace.

The wise men saw His eastern star
and brought rich gifts form lands afar
to where the babe and mother were;
to Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Why is our world by war so torn
and why are hearts so sad, forlorn?
It is because they treat with scorn
the Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Wise men today, on land and sea
revere His name and bend their knee
acknowledging the deity
of Christ the Prince of Peace.

Chorus:
Thou Holy One, Thou Prince of Peace,
Thou King of Kings, make wars to cease;
may men acknowledge Thee as Lord
and Christ, the Prince of Peace.

fpn/undated
If you wish a copy of the printed music, contact Joyce


Picture: depositphotos.com #18080945, standard license

The First and Second Coming (Repost)

Originally posted on this blog July 22, 2017

’Twas not unto the masses
that “glory shone around,”
but to the lowly shepherds
all seated on the ground.
Their longing hearts enraptured,
so many years forlorn;
their trusting faith rewarded,
Jesus Christ is born!

Word of His first appearing
by faithful prophets shared,
fulfilled, yet found the masses
completely unprepared.
Though many knew the scriptures
pertaining to His birth,
yet few believed the message:
Christ had come to earth.

The dawning of the morning
when Christ shall reappear
is surely now upon us,
yet who shall see and hear?
Oh, may His second coming,
much heralded today,
find us awake and waiting;
let us watch and pray!

fpn/1972

Published as Poem #13 in Contemporary Psalms ©1975 by Radiant Light Enterprises
This poem has been set to music (Rutherford, by Chréten Urhan; arr. by Edward F. Rimbault).
For a copy of the printed music, contact Joyce.



Picture: Govert Flinck [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Rejoice! (repost)

“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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10,11

Fear not! – (don’t worry!)
I bring you good tidings of great joy!
Fear not! – (don’t worry!)
A Savior is born—not just an ordinary boy!
This is the birth of the unique God-man.
He is at the heart of God’s redemption plan!
He affords hope now, as much as He did then.
Fear not! – (don’t worry!)

And when these things (end time calamaties) begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth night.” Luke 21:28

Look up! – and rejoice!
Your redemption is now drawing near;
Look up! – and rejoice!
Very shortly, this world will see and hear.
The trumpet will sound in that hour;
Christ will return in great glory and power;
A new world will start to blossom as a flower!
Look up! – and rejoice!

fpn/91



Art: The Shepherds and the Angel, Carl Bloch [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Wise Men (repost)

Who were these wise men who came from the East
at the sign of a star in the sky?
Long was their journey, but how was it made?
And just why, at a cost surely high?

Were there but three who came all the way
through a desert so wide and so wild?
Kings could they be, or great prophets per chance,
or scholars in search of a child?

Why did not others who lived nearer by
see the star? If they did, then just why
did no one seem aware of a happening so rare
in the probable months that went by?

Silent on questions like these is God’s Word;
but the God of high counsel and thought
called and persuaded and led them that way,
that a wonder (one more) should be wrought!

Opening treasures, they knelt at His feet
and worshipped God’s favor to win;
low my heart bows, but rejoices again,
when I think that they brought him their sin!

Back to their land—was there nothing they took?
Ah yes, pardon from sin their reward!
Hearts that were light, hope glorious and bright,
what a gift they received from the Lord!

Where are the wise men who follow today,
while the light of his grace clearly shines?
Come to the Savior and leave Him your sin;
oh, be loosed from satanic confines!

Naught can we bring, be the gift e’er so rare,
till we own Him as Savior and Lord;
as a star in the night, His truth shines today;
be wise, and believe in His Word!

fpn/undated



Art: Henry Siddons Mowbray [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Overcome at Christmas (Repost)

Loaded with packages on a cold afternoon,
fingering money gone all too soon!
Fighting the traffic, finally get home
simply exhausted, “plumb overcome!”

Hurrying the supper, stacking so high
dishes, which later we’ll wash—maybe dry.
Prodding the children, force them to bed,
packaging gifts, numb hands, weary head!

Finally to bed at a quarter past twelve;
can’t do the dishes, they’ll wait on the shelf.
Oh, what excitement, just why do we give?
“Christmas,” they’re saying. I’ll know, if I live!

Weary and nervous, unable to sleep.
Trying to drop off and counting the sheep.
Suddenly shepherds appear in my mind:
angels, a stable, a mother so kind.

A Son has been given, a babe has been born.
Jesus, they named Him; to save the forlorn.
God’s gift so precious, for souls in sin’s night;
Birthday? Yes, His—why, of course, that is right!

Was all of it needful, to rush around so?
I ponder the question; my answer is, “No!”
Forget about Christmas, if, as many do,
the One to be honored, I leave Him out too!

Lord, give me wisdom to put first things first;
oh, Gift of true substance; oh, Quencher of thirst!
Oh, Love so transcending, my heart be Thy home;
I drop off to slumber, in peace, “overcome!”

fpn/undated



Picture: depositphotos.com #44255237, standard license

Oh, Precious Mystery

Originally posted on this blog February 22, 2015

Oh, precious mystery, that my Creator,
who fills the universe—earth, sea and sky—
came to be born within a lowly stable,
on manger bed in swaddling clothes did lie.

Oh, precious mystery, what matchless glory
and boundless wealth Christ Jesus left behind;
though He was rich beyond all comprehension,
bore pain and poverty with lowly mind.

Oh, precious mystery, with life eternal,
He tasted death on earth for you and me;
though He was buried, yet He rose triumphant
and lives today to set sin's captives free.

Refrain:
Oh, precious mystery, the High and Holy
who fills the universe—earth, sea and sky—
The great "I AM," who spoke the worlds to being,
for me He came, to suffer and to die.

fpn/1963
This poem is set to music as song #13 in "Sing and Give Thanks"
Contact Joyce for a copy.



Picture: depositphotos.com #13331990, standard license

The Prince of Peace

In Bethlehem, one holy day
slept God’s own Son on bed of hay.
The virgin-born, sin’s debt would pay;
the Christ, the Prince of Peace.

The wise men saw His eastern star
and brought rich gifts form lands afar
to where the babe and mother were;
to Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Why is our world by war so torn
and why are hearts so sad, forlorn?
It is because they treat with scorn
the Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Wise men today, on land and sea
revere His name and bend their knee
acknowledging the deity
of Christ the Prince of Peace.

Chorus:
Thou Holy One, Thou Prince of Peace,
Thou King of Kings, make wars to cease;
may men acknowledge Thee as Lord
and Christ, the Prince of Peace.

fpn/undated
If you wish a copy of the printed music, contact Joyce


Picture: depositphotos.com #18080945, standard license

Rejoice!

“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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10,11

Fear not! – (don’t worry!)
I bring you good tidings of great joy!
Fear not! – (don’t worry!)
A Savior is born—not just an ordinary boy!
This is the birth of the unique God-man.
He is at the heart of God’s redemption plan!
He affords hope now, as much as He did then.
Fear not! – (don’t worry!)

And when these things (end time calamaties) begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth night.” Luke 21:28

Look up! – and rejoice!
Your redemption is now drawing near;
Look up! – and rejoice!
Very shortly, this world will see and hear.
The trumpet will sound in that hour;
Christ will return in great glory and power;
A new world will start to blossom as a flower!
Look up! – and rejoice!

fpn/91



Art: The Shepherds and the Angel, Carl Bloch [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Wise Men

Who were these wise men who came from the East
at the sign of a star in the sky?
Long was their journey, but how was it made?
And just why, at a cost surely high?

Were there but three who came all the way
through a desert so wide and so wild?
Kings could they be, or great prophets per chance,
or scholars in search of a child?

Why did not others who lived nearer by
see the star? If they did, then just why
did no one seem aware of a happening so rare
in the probable months that went by?

Silent on questions like these is God’s Word;
but the God of high counsel and thought
called and persuaded and led them that way,
that a wonder (one more) should be wrought!

Opening treasures, they knelt at His feet
and worshipped God’s favor to win;
low my heart bows, but rejoices again,
when I think that they brought him their sin!

Back to their land—was there nothing they took?
Ah yes, pardon from sin their reward!
Hearts that were light, hope glorious and bright,
what a gift they received from the Lord!

Where are the wise men who follow today,
while the light of his grace clearly shines?
Come to the Savior and leave Him your sin;
oh, be loosed from satanic confines!

Naught can we bring, be the gift e’er so rare,
till we own Him as Savior and Lord;
as a star in the night, His truth shines today;
be wise, and believe in His Word!

fpn/undated



Art: Henry Siddons Mowbray [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Overcome at Christmas

Loaded with packages on a cold afternoon,
fingering money gone all too soon!
Fighting the traffic, finally get home
simply exhausted, “plumb overcome!”

Hurrying the supper, stacking so high
dishes, which later we’ll wash—maybe dry.
Prodding the children, force them to bed,
packaging gifts, numb hands, weary head!

Finally to bed at a quarter past twelve;
can’t do the dishes, they’ll wait on the shelf.
Oh, what excitement, just why do we give?
“Christmas,” they’re saying. I’ll know, if I live!

Weary and nervous, unable to sleep.
Trying to drop off and counting the sheep.
Suddenly shepherds appear in my mind:
angels, a stable, a mother so kind.

A Son has been given, a babe has been born.
Jesus, they named Him; to save the forlorn.
God’s gift so precious, for souls in sin’s night;
Birthday? Yes, His—why, of course, that is right!

Was all of it needful, to rush around so?
I ponder the question; my answer is, “No!”
Forget about Christmas, if, as many do,
the One to be honored, I leave Him out too!

Lord, give me wisdom to put first things first;
oh, Gift of true substance; oh, Quencher of thirst!
Oh, Love so transcending, my heart be Thy home;
I drop off to slumber, in peace, “overcome!”

fpn/undated



Picture: depositphotos.com #44255237, standard license

The Unbelievable Miracle

The Unbelievable Miracle—
to the natural mind

“A sign…spoken against” Luke 1:34

This Child. . . is for a sign
which some will hate—deny!
And others will, defending it,
if need be, choose to die.
Because there rests upon this,
our sure eternal hope,
and for the present hour,
the strength with life to cope.

“A virgin shall conceive!”
’Tis said, “Can never be!”
yet science cannot side-step
the facts of history.
The prophecy made audible
seven hundred years before;
and holy men confirmed it—
their faithful witness bore.

This whole world is divided,
the camps are only two;
the virgin-birth of Jesus
is the issue clear and true.
We cannot say, “God with us,”
if this we dare deny;
God gave the sign—believe it!
Or reject, and you must die!

fpn/undated



Art: Kissing the Face of God by Morgan Weistling

The Apex of History

Originally posted October 23, 2017 on this blog

The shepherds in the fields by night,
the wise men far away,
the angel throng, the guiding star,
the Child on bed of hay—
these all combine and give to us
a story with intrigue,
which centuries cannot erase,
though fought by Satan’s league.

It seems so strange that wheels stand still
in factories everywhere;
and stores are quiet on this day
while clerks stay home to share
with loved ones, or go out with friends,
to “celebrate” they say,
a birth—two thousand years ago—
a Babe—born far away.

Of course, some folks don’t realize
just what it’s all about;
and some who know are not concerned;
their minds are filled with doubt.
But of all statesmen in the world,
or notables, not one
has caused a stir so great, so long,
as that Jewish maiden’s Son!

While on this earth, where Jesus went,
He chose a lowly place,
until the time had come to show
the world His power and grace.
And then at last, He yielded to
the passion of the crowd—
was crucified for sinful men;
He was the Son of God!

He did not die like other men, 
but shouted at the last,
in triumph, “It is finished!” 
as the soldiers stood aghast.
He rose again and lives today, 
in hearts that let Him in—
the mighty Victor over death;
the only Cure for sin!

fpn/undated



Picture: depositphotos.com #26373653, standard license

The First and Second Coming (Repost)

Originally posted on this blog July 22, 2017

’Twas not unto the masses
that “glory shone around,”
but to the lowly shepherds
all seated on the ground.
Their longing hearts enraptured,
so many years forlorn;
their trusting faith rewarded,
Jesus Christ is born!

Word of His first appearing
by faithful prophets shared,
fulfilled, yet found the masses
completely unprepared.
Though many knew the scriptures
pertaining to His birth,
yet few believed the message:
Christ had come to earth.

The dawning of the morning
when Christ shall reappear
is surely now upon us,
yet who shall see and hear?
Oh, may His second coming,
much heralded today,
find us awake and waiting;
let us watch and pray!

fpn/1972

Published as Poem #13 in Contemporary Psalms ©1975 by Radiant Light Enterprises
This poem has been set to music (Rutherford, by Chréten Urhan; arr. by Edward F. Rimbault).
For a copy of the printed music, contact Joyce.



Picture: Govert Flinck [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons