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

Oh Precious Mystery

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

Published in Contemporary Psalms, p. 8 and as song #13 in Sing and Give Thanks.
Recorded on LP 263: Love is Why, side one. For a copy of the music, contact Joyce.


Picture: sourced online, October 15, 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

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

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

Blessed Paradox

Great confusion
by intrusion
of this Christ, divinely given.
Hostile faction
soon took action—
He was nailed; His side was riven.

What a story,
wondrous glory;
hear the strains of “Peace on earth.”
Contradiction?
Was it fiction?
Wars and more wars since His birth.

Did He fail?
Was betrayal
indication He was wrong?
Rest your fears,
dry your tears—
now, as then, he gives a song!

Earthly tyrants
are but migrants,
briefly clutching selfish gain.
The King Jesus,
by grace frees us—
His is the eternal reign.

fpn/’85



Photo Credit: Deposit Photos #19082455, standard license

The Hope of Rising Again

The Hope of Rising Again
John 14:19

The hope of rising again
gives meaning and purpose to life;
for sorrow and heartache untold
are widespread in this world of strife.

Life seems like a tunnel at times;
it appears we will never get out.
We’re depressed—our hearts fill with fear;
it’s hard not to worry or doubt.

The one thought that helps us endure
is knowing that this too shall pass;
but that’s not enough—we need hope
that a new day will soon dawn at last.

There is no denying that death
now poses an unwelcome fate;
so final—and mysteries abound
past the veil of our present estate.

True facts about what lies ahead
are discovered alone in God’s word;
yet many prefer in its stead
speculation so wild and absurd.

This life is much more than a game;
there are destinies we will achieve,
and there need be no losers at all—
the condition is that we believe.

By faith, we can claim for ourselves
a future of glory and peace;
Christ lives and yes, “we too shall live”
in His kingdom which never shall cease.

fpn 3/86

Photo Credit: Deposit Photo #12293387, standard license

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

Oh, Precious Mystery

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.



Photo: Deposit Photos 19584681, Standard License