Dec 23.98: Light For The Day - "I Wish" ... "The Gospel Tree"

"And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will
come upon you, and the power of the Most High
will overshadow you; therefore the child to be
born will be called holy, the Son of God."
-- Luke 1:35 (RSV)

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"I Wish"

I wish I could see how it was that night, 
I've prayed about it before. 
I'd like to feel and know and see 
The night angels opened heaven's door. 

I know the words that were sung. 
They are recorded in Holy Writ. 
But the music itself, how did it sound? 
If I could hear just a little bit. 

The shepherds, I'd like to see them too, 
Hasting down from the quiet hill. 
Did they really know exactly where to go? 
Or did they search and search until.... 

I'd like to see Mary so special, so pure, 
And Joseph so honorable and so good. 
How choice to meet them, to see them myself, 
Oh, if only I could. 

And the baby, I know just how he would be. 
His small face shining with a Godly soul. 
Oh, if only, if only I could see. 
Someday I will, on Father's scroll. 

-- Maxine Crossley 

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"A Mother's Christmas Wish" 

Come dear family, gather 'round our Christmas tree;
Let us spend a little time in love and harmony.
Tomorrow we will celebrate the birth of Christ our Lord,
But I've a wish this year to see it's meaning's not ignored.

The gifts are neatly set about with names and tags and bows.
And Christmas goodies are in sight, the stockings are in rows.
But as I look into your faces, what I wish to see.
Is a love for Christ our Savior, not "What's Santa bringing me?"

Each time one of you were born and laid here in my arm,
I thought about the Christ child in the manger safe and warm.
I thought of how his life began, and all the things he taught.
I thought of how he died for us--that death could conquer not.

I wonder how his face would look, if these gifts to him we gave--
A shirt, a train, a story book. .which of these would he save?
I think he'd rather see us give kindness to each other,
To say our thanks and give our love to him, our oldest brother.

So, as the colored Christmas lights are blinking in your heads,
I hope to find you each with love, kneeling at your beds,
And giving him a birthday wish that will be sure to please:
Just vow to love your fellow man, and promise from your knees.

Then in the morning when you pass your Christmas gifts around,
Give the gift of love and joy. .let true peace here be found.
For Jesus will be here to join, he's told us so, you see.
"If you do it unto the least of these. .you do it unto me."

--Suzanne Dean
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"The Gospel Tree" 

There once was a shining Christmas tree 
Standing out where all could see. 
Its brilliance captured very eye 
And seemed to cheer each passer-by. 
"The lights are so bright", they would say 
And hesitate to walk away. 
The tree stood proud ablaze with light 
For every light was burning bright. 

Then one bulb was heard to say 
"I'm tired of burning night and day; 
I think I'll just go out and rest 
For I'm too tired to do my best; 
Besides, I am so very small 
I doubt if I'd be missed at all." 

Then a child lovingly touched the light 

"Look,mother, this one shines so very bright. 
I think of all the lights upon the tree 
This one looks the best to me." 

"Oh my goodness," said the light 
"I almost dimmed right out of sight. 
I thought perhaps no one would care 
If I failed to shine my share." 
With that a glorious brilliance came 
For every light had felt-the same. 

Our Gospel, like this Christmas tree 

With little lights which are you and me 

We each have a space that we must fill 
With love, and lessons and good will. 
Let's keep our tree ablaze with light 
With testimonies burning bright. 

For our Gospel is a living tree 
That lights the way to eternity 

-- Unknown
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"For God so loved the world that he gave his
only Son, that whoever believes in him
should not perish but have eternal life.

For God sent the Son into the world, 
not to condemn the world, but that
the world might be saved through him."

-- John 3:16,17 (RSV)


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Merry Christmas & A Blessed New Year !

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