Category: ‘Worship’

ONE MORNING

01/26/2012 Posted by mindsinger

The sun rose quietly over the tiny town while bells chimed softly the morning call to prayer.
Some grumbled at being wakened. Some had been long stirring.

And some had not slept at all.

A small group of men could be seen leaving the cluster of houses;
a sheep or two and a lamb following close.
they spoke quietly among themselves.

“What did it mean?”
“Could it really be Him?”
“I’ll never forget the music!”
“Why would angels speak to shepherds?”

~*~

In the town a tender young maiden looked with wonder upon the face of her newborn child.
“Who are you, my sweet son? What glories dwell within those wide and wondering eyes?
Oh, Miracle, born within the miracle of birth?
I will not think of the future! Today is ours.”

~*~

Far away to the East, the discussion continues.
“There can be no doubt.”
“This is a new and wondrous light!”
“And it seems to be moving!”
“What can it mean?”
“We must study this strange body in the heavens.”
“Does anyone know a prophecy concerning such an occurrence?”
“There is a Word spoken in the holy writings of an obscure people.
once powerful, they are now subject to Rome.
Israel, I think they were called….”

~*~

A young man pauses in his preparations for the day
to study his rough and work-hardened hands.
Could these hands have held that tiny form?
Would he ever understand the wonder of that birth so strangely foretold?
“A fine strong son! I will teach him the wonder of wood;
how to lay a firm foundation for a strong house.
How to select the finest timbers. A carpenter!…
Oh, God, I listened to those scriptures with Mary!
Surely the people will accept him.
When they know he is your son!”

c.2000/ Donna Swanson

 

UNCONQUERABLE

01/16/2012 Posted by mindsinger

 

The unconquerable,

inconceivable love of God.

Is it too good to be true?

We must think so.

For we constantly write songs and poems about it,

hurling superlatives

into the storms of our doubt.

And if, as writers,

we are honest with ourselves,

we must confess the times

when words collapse of their own weight.

Then, in the stillness,

in the echoing stillness of our divided hearts,

the music begins.

Softly the Father woos us,

beckoning us to him.

Perhaps in a fiery sunset,

perhaps in the perfection of a rose,

he whispers his glory.

And the words come back.

He Walks in Majesty!

 

c.2000, Donna Swansion

 

ONE NIGHT (For childre

12/24/2011 Posted by mindsinger

 

1. I am a little shepherd boy

I keep the temple sheep.

One night I heard the angels sing

about the Prince of Peace.

 

I am a little woolly lamb.

I frolic all day long.

One night I saw a Heavenly light

And heard the angel’s song.

 

2. I am a humble Jewish girl,

I live by Moses’ law.

One night an angel came to me

and said I’d bear God’s Son.

 

I am a donkey small and gray

I do what I am told.

One night with Mary on my back

I walked King David’s road.

 

3. I am the Keeper of the Inn

I lived in Bethlehem.

one night I saw the Son of God

born in a cattle pen.

I am a kind and gentle cow.

 

I have a tale to tell.

One night I shared my lowly stall

with Lord, Emanuel.

 

4. I am an honest carpenter,

I work ‘til set of sun.

That night I held him in my arms,

God’s newborn only Son!

 

I am a bright and shining star,

I give a silv’ry light.

One night I shone on Bethlehem

and made that Christmas bright!

 

5. I am the servant of a king,

We traveled from the east.

One night we found the King of kings

asleep among the beasts.

 

I am a camel, strong and tall,

I travel with the best.

One night we came to David’s town

and found a King at rest.

c.2000, Donna Swanson, from SPLINTERS OF LIGHT