12/26/21 Through 1/1/22

 12/26/21 Through 1/1/22

Sunday

My honor is this fruitful vine,

This loving family of mine.

No greater joy for aging man,

Than looking on a faithful clan.

Where children now as parents do

Their best in raising souls for You

Of passing on the faith in love,

And training souls for life above.

With challenges they face each day,

And how they turn to You and pray,

They train a generation new

Just how to put their trust in You.

They look for opportunities

To teach the faith to such as these,

And raise their tender hearts to know

That love is more than earthly show.

I look and see how blessed am I

Then tend to sit and wonder why,

But looking back I see for me,

A faithful, loving, family.

Monday

No abstract concept spoken here,

But love in truth and love sincere.

We saw and touched, and now proclaim

The glories of His sacred name.

No dream or vision could proclaim

This God of might with humble fame,

Who came to earth to show the way

Of love in everlasting day.

Tuesday

The holy innocents are dead,

The virgin and her baby fled

To Egypt to protect the King

And thus to all, salvation bring.

The cries of anguish filled the air

As little children martyred there

Became the first to die for One

Who died for all, the Father's Son.

Wednesday

Again this morn I wait and seek

Just how today, will Jesus speak.

What word or phrase will capture here

A message for a waiting ear?

A prayer to one that's close to Him

Can clear the mind and light the dim.

In quiet stillness, love is heard.

In docile heart, is action spurred.

Decide to hear His voice today

And listen in a humble way.

Be patient, testing what you hear

Against the Church's teaching clear.

No word from Him will counter Her.

It's clarity He brings, not blur.

For on His bride, the Spirit rests,

And children feed upon Her breasts.

But quietly each day you'll find

A shining light and peace of mind.

The comfort of a loving friend

And holy wisdom without end.

Thursday

(Can be sung to the tune of Come Thou Font of Many Blessings)

Here a life of ever waiting,

Ever seeking for the Lord.

Everyday anticipating

That the kingdom be restored.

When a child appears before thee

As no other child before.

Revelation, you can foresee

One to worship and adore.

Prayer and fasting was your staple.

Earth's attachments, not for you.

Sinless virgin, in a stable,

Bore the Savior to renew.

Spread the word and give Him glory,

Tell all men of life anew.

Spread around the Christmas story

All the love God has for you.

Friday

The day is here, the year is done,

But have I listened to the Son?

Has He meant a change for me,

Is there a difference folks can see?

Have I become a child of God,

Or are my ways and habits flawed?

Have I recognized the Word,

And worked to make His Gospel heard?

Is grace on grace bestowed on me

In such a way that others see

I walk amid the shining light

If it be morning, noon, or night?

If not, then throw the trash away,

And start upon a brand new day.

You know the Truth, there's no mistake,

So let it now, a difference make.

Saturday

Mind can barely grasp the thought

That God has come to earth.

Much less to think that we've been taught

A woman gave Him birth.

The solemn truth is so it is,

The Virgin did conceive.

Now Son of Mary, Jesus is

As bread that we receive.

Preposterous, it seems to me,

No way to understand.

Created Mother shown to be

The vessel God had planned.

All honor must be given thee,

The chosen of our race.

For God has chosen you to be

The vessel of all grace.