Friday's Faith
Jesus Comes to Us Grievers...
Living in the Land of the Shadow of Death
~
O Little Town of Bethlehem
~Connie Talbot
...(T)he people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
On those living in the land of the shadow of death
a Light has dawned...
~Matthew 4:14a,16
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress...
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before You
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of defeat,
You have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a Child is born,
to us a Son is given,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
And He will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of His government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
~Isaiah 9:1a-7
*****
"O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in the dark streets shineth
The Everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight."
~Phillips Brooks, 1867
Jesus Comes to Us Grievers...
Living in the Land of the Shadow of Death
"On those living in the land of the shadow of death
a Light has dawned..."
The yoke that burdens me ~
Jesus came so that He
Could shatter th' Oppressor...
Carry on His shoulder
The new reign of His Light
That conquers Death's Dark Night
That threw us into Shadow
From once light-filled meadow
(When our child was with us,
Delighting, thrilling us).
We, living in darkness,
Living in Death's oppress,
Watch Him destroy Death's yoke
(Which did Deep Grief evoke
Which threw us to the ground...
Sounds of mourning abound).
But God sent us His Son
Squelching Darkness with th' Son,
And with this dawn of Light,
Turned Dark Death into Life!
Prince of Peace saved Mourning's plight,
Gives Eternal Morning's Light ~
Restores to us a Glorious sight:
Love's embrace restores Delight!
Bless You, Savior, Our True Light...
Born this Heavenly Christmas night!
*****
Mary's Prayer
Sleep well... Sleep well,
for the heat of anger simmers nearby...
Enjoy the silence of the crib, for the noise of confusion
rumbles in Your future.
Savor the sweet safety of my arms,
for a day is soon coming when I cannot protect you.
Rest well, tiny hands.
For though you belong to a king,
You will touch no satin, own no gold.
You will grasp no pen, guide no brush.
No, Your tiny hands are reserved
for works more precious:
to touch a leper's open wound,
to wipe a widow's weary tear,
to claw the ground of Gethsemane.
Your hands, so tiny, so tender...
~clutched tonight in an infant's fist.
They aren't destined to hold a scepter
nor wave from a palace balcony.
They are reserved instead for a Roman spike
that will staple them to a Roman cross.
...O eyes that will see Hell's darkest pit
and witness her ugly prince...
sleep, please sleep;
sleep while You can.
~Max Lucado, God Comes Near,
also "Mary's Prayer" from One Incredible Moment
*****
What came into existence was Life,
and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
the darkness couldn't put it out..
~John 1:5
*****
If your heart has been shadowed by the darkness of loneliness or grief
or disappointment, look for the light only He can give.
~Max Lucado, Just Like Jesus
*****
I am the light of the world.
The person who follows Me
will never live in darkness
but will have the light that gives life.
~Jesus (John 8:12)
*****
O Little Town of Bethlehem
~Connie Talbot
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie;
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heaven
No ear may hear His coming; but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray
Cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O Come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.
Pictures: Photobucket.com, also http://www.sallysjourney.typepad.com/
Poem - Jesus Comes to Us Grievers... Living in the Land of the Shadow of Death - Angie Bennett Prince - 12/14/10
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQoEwiOttYo
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