Saturday, December 26, 2020

On the Second Day of Christmas . . .


  

The Night AFTER Christmas by Albert Brewster

‘Twas the night after Christmas and all through the house,
again no creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
Mama in the bedroom; me asleep in my chair,.
totally relaxed without a worry or care.

When all of a sudden came a great rush of thought!
We had received so much more than we had bought.

And to think about that one Christmas day
was just about enough to blow you away.

The children had been especially nice to each other.
(You would never have guessed they were sister and brother.)

Together at the table; each in our place;
no pushing or shoving while I said grace.

We shared our love, our songs, our laughter.
We shared the chores and didn’t even have to!

Just what was it that made it all work?
Was it all planned, or simply a quirk?

As I think back I seem to recall
a series of messages from a man named Paul.
Andrew, Simon, John, and James,
Matthew, Bartholomew, and other odd names.

Someone is gone but is coming again,
We’re all brothers, or some kind of kin.

Coming from childhood these thoughts surround me.
Complex truths so simple they astound me!

The Word that reaches me doesn’t come through my ear -
from so far away - and yet so near.

Now I am looking for answers, and they must be viable.
I open the desk drawer, and dust the Bible.

We counted our blessings this wonderful day
and knew it could always be that way -

Or, would we let it escape us and again be gone,
when we get back to routine; and turn the TV on?


Bert Brewster  UMC Pastor: adbrewster@aol.com

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel


The Brook: Chicago, IL > O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
 

O come, O come, Emmanuel:
Surprise us, like you did with Mary.
We hear her words: “How shall this be?”
Like her, we wait your advent here.
“Hail Fa-vored One!  The Lord is with you.”
The words to her are to us as well.

O come, O come, Emmanuel:
We know Mary was no different than we.
As we look for you this Advent now,
You still break through to people like me.
“Hail Fa-vored One!  The Lord is with you.”
The words to her are to us as well.

O come, O come, Emmanuel:
May your advent be for us as it was for her.
Although we may not see what our future holds,
There’s a part for us to play in your great plan.
“Hail Fa-vored One!  The Lord is with you.”
The words to her are to us as well.


Tune: Traditional
Words by Clyde E. Griffith for Advent 1999

clydegriffith@msn.com

Monday, December 7, 2020

Open My Eyes: An Advent Hymn

 Open My Eyes That I May See | Desiring God

 Open My Eyes: An Advent Hymn

Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of Christ as he comes by me.
Let me be ready night and day
To welcome him when he comes my way.
Expectantly now, we wait for thee.
Waiting for Emmanuel’s presence to see.
Open my eyes, keep me alert, Spirit Divine.

Open my mouth that I may sing
Songs of the joy Emmanuel brings.
Like Mary, let me accept God’s will
When it surprises and confronts me still.
Expectantly now, we wait for thee.
Waiting for Emmanuel’s presence to see.
Open my eyes, keep me alert, Spirit Divine.

Open my ears that I may hear
Signs of the Christ as he comes near
Presenting himself needing food or drink.
Let me ready. Don’t let me forget!
Expectantly now, we wait for thee.
Waiting for Emmanuel’s presence to see.
Open my eyes, keep me alert, Spirit Divine.

Open my heart that I may enjoy
The Presence of Christ,  wherever I go.
Thanks be to God, He comes to us still,
If we would look and know what we see.
Expectantly now, we wait for thee.
Waiting for Emmanuel’s presence to see.
Open my eyes, keep me alert, Spirit Divine.


Words by Clyde E. Griffith, November 2000
for Advent

Tune: Open My Eyes That I May See

clydegriffith@msn.com