Showing posts with label easter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label easter. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

The Apex of History


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: Wikimedia Commons

Monday, December 24, 2018

Emmanuel (Repost)


Who is this babe of Bethlehem?
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
Who comes to save and not condemn?
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
Who is this child of virgin birth?
The Son of God, now come to earth!
The Christ of God, our Lord and King!
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!

Who gave His life on Calvary?
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
Who shed His blood to set us free?
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
Who rose triumphant o’er the grave?
Whose name alone has power to save?
The Christ of God, our Lord and King!
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!

Whose feet shall stand on Olivet?
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
Then war and strife we shall forget.
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
Lord, haste the day of Thy return,
when all shall worship, none shall spurn
The Christ of God, our Lord and King!
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!

fpn/undated

This was written as a song, but the music was not put into print.



Picture: Sourced online, October 10, 2017




Thursday, December 20, 2018

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


Sunday, December 24, 2017

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




Monday, December 4, 2017

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

Monday, October 23, 2017

The Apex of History


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: Wikimedia Commons

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Emmanuel


Who is this babe of Bethlehem?
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
Who comes to save and not condemn?
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
Who is this child of virgin birth?
The Son of God, now come to earth!
The Christ of God, our Lord and King!
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!

Who gave His life on Calvary?
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
Who shed His blood to set us free?
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
Who rose triumphant o’er the grave?
Whose name alone has power to save?
The Christ of God, our Lord and King!
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!

Whose feet shall stand on Olivet?
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
Then war and strife we shall forget.
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
Lord, haste the day of Thy return,
when all shall worship, none shall spurn
The Christ of God, our Lord and King!
Emmanuel, Emmanuel!

fpn/undated

This is written as a song, but the music has not be put into print.



Picture: Sourced online, October 10, 2017




Thursday, October 12, 2017

Bells Chime on Easter Morn


written as a song but music is unknown

Our Saviour knelt to pray
in dark Gethsemane;
“Oh, if it be Thy will…
let this cup pass from me.
Yet not my will but Thine,
oh Father, Thine be done.”
Bowed down beneath our sorrows,
’twas God’s beloved Son!

With treachery betrayed,
by Pontius Pilate tried,
then scourged and crowned with thorns
all justice was denied.
the cross and then the tomb…
at last in still repose;
but vain the attempt to hold Him;
in triumph, He arose!

Chorus:
Bells chime on Easter morn,
proclaiming Christ is risen!
Bells chime on Easter morn,
new life in Him is given!
’Twas for our guilt and shame
He suffered, bled and died;
yet He arose, and we
are freely justified.
Bells chime on Easter morn.
Yes, Christ indeed is risen!

fpn/undated



Picture: depositphotos.com #66235719, standard license


Saturday, September 9, 2017

In Time of Trial

My tears have been my food day and night, 
while people say to me all day long, 
"Where is your God?" Psalm 42:3


“Where is now thy God?”1
Why must there be this test,
when I have really tried
to give my very best?

Oh, God, I do not ask
for myself, “Are you real?”
whenever things go wrong
or because of how I feel.

But there are those who taunt
as though I have no God,
while day and night I grieve
and tears fall on the sod.

Our Savior, too, was tried;
the ridicule was gross;
“If God will have you now,
come down from off the cross!”2

But little did they know
that only three short days
would change the entire scene,
resulting in God’s praise!

No, I will not despair,
though bleak and dark the hour;
by faith I’ll reach ahead
for resurrection power.

The testing of my faith
I know is not for long;
and as I learn to trust,
God fills my heart with song.

fpn/undated

1. Psalm 42:3
2. Matthew 27:42

Picture: Crucifixion - Jacopo Tintoretto, 1565, accessed online, September 4, 2017


Thursday, September 7, 2017

The Championship


Christ Jesus came, dear friend of mine
to set the record straight.
We need not be sin’s victims
in this world of lust and hate.

How foolish to excuse ourselves
for our besetting sin
and live in misery all the while,
when the victory we may win.

Oh, what a confrontation, when
God sent His precious Son
to face our foe and “knock him out!”
That bout our Savior won.

In chapter three and verse fifteen 
of Genesis, we read,
the woman’s seed would strike a blow
to crush the serpent’s head!

And Satan’s might, let’s not deny,
is great—it’s evident!
The tragic scenes through history
confirm that fact and trend.

To top it, many won’t believe
from sin they can be free;
but blind in sin, with guilt and fear, 
they drift on aimlessly.

Yes, Christ was bruised while in “the ring”
He died, delighting foes,
but saving us—oh, praise to God!
We live, for He arose!

fpn/December 1984



Picture: depositphotos.com #30894447, standard license

Sunday, April 16, 2017

The Stone Was Rolled Away


’Twas just before the break of day;
what grief their hearts had known!
“And who,” they questioned as they went,
“Will roll away the stone?”
By king’s command, the heavy stone
was guarded night and day;
but when these fainting souls arrived
the stone was rolled away!

Now, if you face a problem which
is more than you can bear,
and possibly a circumstance
no other one can share;
Friend, don’t despair, just trust the Lord,
and thank Him as you pray;
keep praising God, for soon you’ll find
the “stone” is rolled away.

fpn / undated

Published as poem #15 in Contemporary Psalms
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos #13469994, Standard License

The Resurrection Day


Christ arose, no more to die
and His own to justify
in the dawning of that great
and glorious day;
when an angel from on high –
swift as lightening from the sky –
overwhelmed the guards
and rolled the stone away.

He arose, our blessed Lord,
in fulfillment of His word;
wondrous message, let us
evermore proclaim!
Where, oh death, is now thy sting,
and oh grave, thy victory?
We shall rise, for Christ arose,
Oh, praise His name!

On that resurrection day
when the shadows flee away
and the trumpet of the Lord
shall pierce the air,
what rejoicing there will be
when our Saviour we shall see
and with loved ones,
His eternal glory share!

Sweetest message, wondrous grace,
to the sons of Adam’s race;
“He is risen; come and see
where Jesus lay.”
Though death hovered o’er your head,
you are justified instead
from the guilt and debt
which none could ever pay.

There is life for you and me
by a look at Calvary;
there is pardon, peace
and cleansing through His blood.
Yes, we claim an empty tomb
and the future holds no gloom;
we shall rise, for Christ arose,
the Son of God!

On that resurrection day
when the shadows flee away
and the trumpet of the Lord
shall pierce the air,
what rejoicing there will be
when our Saviour we shall see
and with loved ones,
His eternal glory share!

fpn / undated

Published as poem #14 in Contemporary Psalms and as song #10 in Sing and Give Thanks
Contact Joyce if you would like a copy of the sheet music.



Photo Credit: Deposit Photos #66235719, Standard License