Imagine 9

Just imagine

If we let God

Lead us all

And teach us

How to truly love,

And treat all others

With gentleness

And respect.

Just imagine

What could happen!

Imagine 8

Think what

Could be done

If we imagine,

Then put those ideas

Into action.

Just imagine!

Imagine 7

For this time,

This year,

Let us imagine

That we can build

A new world

Where all people

Will have a place

And be accepted

By all others.

Imagine 6

Imagine that all

Will learn the love

That accepts people

Who are different

As human

And worthy

Of being loved.

Imagine 5

Imagine there is

Clothing enough

For all people,

Enough that no one

Need worry again.

Imagine 4

Imagine that wars

Will cease to be,

And all people

Around the world

Will learn to live

Together in peace.

Imagine 3

Imagine shelter

For all people

And no one ever

Need be homeless.

Imagine 2

Imagine there is food

Enough for all

And no one

Ever goes hungry

Or thirsty;

For all will have

What they need.

Imagine 1

For this space of time,

Let us imagine

That a better world

Is coming to us,

A world

Where all people

Will learn peace.

Remember

Remember the Child

Born in a stable,

Growing up

In humble surroundings.

Remember.

Remember the Man

Working as a carpenter

Then going out

To tell about God.

Remember.

Remember the Teacher

Talking to the people,

Telling about God

And the love there for all.

Remember.

Remember the One

Who died at Calvary

Taking the sins

Of the world.

Remember.

Remember that Jesus

Rose again

To show us all

God’s love for us.

Remember.

More

More than the baby
Laid in the manger,
He grew up
And we cannot
Keep Him there.

More than the teacher
Or the healer
Of the sick,
He moved on,
And we cannot
Find Him there.

More than anything
We can think of;
Lord and Saviour
Of the world,
Loving all people,
Look and find Him
Everywhere.

Two birth announcements

From:  Mary and Joseph
Born: a son
Name: Jesus;  Hebrew: Yeshua
Place: Bethlehem, a stable
         Every place was taken.  At least it was private.
Date:  not known, no calendar
Weight: not sure, no scales available, but he
         appears to be normal.



From:  Yahweh
Born: a Son
Name: Yeshua
Place: Bethlehem; a stable
Date: no calendar - does it matter?
Weight: normal
Note to all:  this is the One destined.
He will save all those who will believe and
follow, living the way He will teach.

Spirit

Spirit among us,

Come to save us,

Love us

And make us

Wholly yours.

Come and see

God is here

In an unexpected form,

A baby born

And God’s spirit

Is here.

God Comes

You come to us,

Loving God,

When we are not

Looking for you.

We relax,

Thinking all is right,

And suddenly

Your spirit

Is here among us.

Who Knows?

Who knows when

Christ will return

And in what form?

Baby or man,

God incarnate,

Unexpectedly

He comes to us

To show us all

What love is.

The Magi

Who knows when

The magi came

To find a new born king?

They followed the star

To Bethlehem

And there found

The king of all.

The Star

Who knows when

A star brightened

The night sky?

It was there

To lead magi

To the place

Where Jesus was.

The Shepherds

Who knows when

The shepherds came

To see a new-born child?

But to a stable

They went

To see the child

The angels told.

Angels

Who knows when

The angels’ song

Came out of the sky?

But they were there

To tell the shepherds

About the birth

Of a special Child.

Birth

Who knows when

The baby  Jesus

Was born

Into our world?

The only truth

Is that our lives

Were forever changed

By that one birth.

Freedom 6

Freedom to live:

Freedom to live where we want and with whom we want to be with and no one to tell us we are wrong.  How long will it take for us to learn how to live this way?

Freedom 5

Freedom from war:

Freedom to live without the fear of bullets or bombs coming in and destroying all that has been built and destroying many lives.  Can we ever learn to live together in peace and love?

Freedom 4

Freedom from hatred:

Freedom to see that all people are beloved children of God.  Will we ever learn this truth?  Will we ever learn to treat each other in God’s love?

Freedom 3

Freedom from fear:

All people should be able to live without being afraid of being attacked just because they are “different” from others.

An Invitation

                        YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A CHRISTMAS PARTY

GUEST OF HONOR: JESUS CHRIST

            DATE: Everyday.  Traditionally, December 25, but He's always around, so the date is flexable.

            TIME:  Whenever you're ready.  Please don't be late though, or you'll miss out on all the fun.

            PLACE:  In your heart.  He'll meet you there - you'll hear Him knock.

            ATTIRE:  Come as you are.  Grubbies are okay as He'll be washing our clothes anyway.

            He said something about new white robes for everyone who stays till the last.

            COST:  Admission is free.  He's already paid for everyone.  He says you wouldn't have been able to afford it -- it's cost Him everything He had!

            REFRESHMENTS:  New wine, bread, and a far-out drink He calls "Living Water."  This will be

followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!!

            GIFT SUGGESTIONS:  Your heart!  He's one of those people who already has everything

else.  (He's very generous in return though -- just wait until you see what He has for you!)

            ENTERTAINMENT:  Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God,

Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise.....and much more!  (all rated "G" so bring your family and friends).

             PARTY GIVEN BY:  His Kids.  That's us!  Hope To See You There!

             Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.  Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear.(Fine linen stands for tthe righteous acts of the saints).  Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!                                                                                                                     Revelation 19:7-9

            ALL OF YOU WHO WILL BE THERE, PLEASE SHARE THIS INVITATION WITH SOMEONE ELSE

Freedom 2

Freedom from being homeless:

There are ways to make sure that all people have a safe and secure place to live.  Will we ever start to make sure that all have a dwelling of their own that they want and like?

Freedom 1

Freedom from hunger:

Can we learn to make sure everybody has enough to eat?  We have the ability to do this, will we ever do it?

More Gifts:

Freedom to be

Freedom to love

Freedom to worship

Freedom!

Gifts for the world:

We should give gifts:

Freedom from hunger

Freedom from being homeless

Freedom from fear

Freedom from fear

Freedom from hatred

Freedom from war

Freedom to live

Joseph

It was quite a trial, let me tell you. I was betrothed at the time to Mary, when she told me that she was going to have a baby. Well, let me tell you, I was upset!               That baby wasn't mine, and I knew that, because we hadn't been together yet.

I was going to find a way to deal privately with the problem and divorce Mary and find another woman. But I had a dream where I was told to stay with Mary and raise the child as my own. He was to be God's Son! Of course, I married Mary, as I was told to do. You don't ignore messages from God, you know. Then that order came from the Romans that we were all to be counted. We were to go our tribal towns, and Bethlehem was ours. Problem was, Mary was getting near her time, and by the time we got there, she was due to have the baby - soon! And that

innkeeper, poor fellow, had no room for us at all. He finally suggested the stable, which turned out to be very nice, secluded and warm.  Just the right place for us at the time.

Jesus was born, very quickly and Mary said, fairly painlessly. But very soon, we had visitors. A bunch of shepherds came by and said that they had been told about the birth by a bunch of angels. I didn't know what to make of the whole thing, but Mary said not to worry about it.

We later moved into a house in Bethlehem, planning to stay there for a long time. But we had other visitors, Magi from a distant land, who said that the stars had predicted the birth. They also told us that they had been in Jerusalem, and that Herod knew about Jesus. That night, I had a dream, telling me to go to Egypt, because Herod wanted to kill Jesus. I later had another dream in Egypt, telling me that Herod had died. But because one of his sons was ruling over in Judea, I decided that it would be better to come here to Nazareth. Jesus really has been a very good boy, and does well as a carpenter. I have very high hopes for the boy.

A Neighbor in Egypt

Yes, they live next to me for a couple of years. That baby of theirs was such a good boy, and cute, too. Never gave His parents any trouble. They were such a nice family!

They came in unexpectedly one day. There was an empty house - that one over there, next to mine - and they were able to move in. The young mother was such a pretty thing. I could see why the man had married her. Pretty and good at taking care of things while he worked. Turned out that the husband was an excellent carpenter. You can see his work on the repair of this door.

No, they didn't stay long. Word reached us all that Herod had died, and they packed up everything and went back to their own country. Don't blame them much. There weren't many Jews in this area at that time. They were just out of place here.

The Wise Men

Mat. 2:2-12 We all are watchers of the sky and the stars, which tell us of thing that are to happen and when great people are to be born. We saw, a little while ago, a great star in the sky. This star was so great that it had to herald the birth of a special King. Of course, we had to go and find the child.

Unfortunately, we lost the star for a short time while we were on the way. But from the way it had been leading us, we decided to go to Jerusalem and inquire of those there. King Herod, at the time, couldn't have been more gracious and helpful. He inquired of some of the Priests  of the Jews and found that

Bethlehem should have been our goal all along. We started out to go there and discovered the star, which lead us to where the child was.

Of course, we were delighted to find the right house. The child was such a wonderful boy! Such a good-looking boy! But then, that's to be expected, seeing that the mother was so pretty. And already the parents had the boy acting so very well. They'll do a good job raising that one.

By the time we left Bethlehem, we had begun to realize that by going to Herod, we had possibly put the very child that was so special in danger. We warned the parents about Herod before we left to go home. I do hope that they got out in time.

A Neighbor in Bethlehem

They were neighbors of ours for a short time. The husband, Joseph, was a carpenter. His wife, Mary, had just had a baby a short time before. Such a sweet little boy He was! Rarely cried at all!

I remember them because there was quite a commotion one day. Three rather rich looking men with their people visited. I don't know much what was said 'cause Mary never told me much about who the men were. She just didn't seem to want to talk about them at all. In fact, they left shortly after that. Without telling anyone, too!

It was after they left when Herod's soldiers came and killed all our youngest boys. May God curse him! There was no need to do that at all! Those babies were no threat to him! At least one baby was saved from Herod. I'm glad that the family left when they did!

A Shepherd

Luke 2:8-20

You should have seen it! Such a beautiful, bright light, then the message and all those angels singing. It was something special!

The light scared us all at first, 'cause we didn't know what was happening. But then this man told us that we needn't be afraid and that a very special baby had been born in the city of David.  Said that He was the Messiah! Told us where to find the baby and how to tell that we had the right time and place. And the messengers came to us! Of course, we left right away to go and see the child. Left our sheep unattended, but we didn't even think about that 'till later.

We did find things as we had been told they would be. The mother was a pretty young girl. Sure envy that husband of hers. Would like to have one like that myself! And that baby! You sure could tell that He was a special one all right. He was sure good looking child for a new-born. Don't understand about that manger bit, but I guess God knows what He is doing.

A Midwife

I had a real unusual one the other night. A man came to me saying that his wife was about to give birth. When he led me out, I thought that we were going to the inn, but he led me out back, to the stable, explaining that the inn was too full for

this.

His wife was a pretty young girl, pregnant with her first child. It was a shame, that she had to give birth in a stable. Seems to me that space could have been found somewhere else. She did have some privacy there, however. The birth was fairly easy for a first child, and that baby boy sure was a beautiful baby! Such a good little baby, too. He cried very little and seemed unusually alert for a new born baby. It sure seemed like He was looking around to see everything. The young mother put Him into the manger for lack of anyplace to use as a bed. He seemed not to mind, for He went right to sleep. Just as I was leaving, some shepherds came around looking for the baby. Seems that they had been told about the birth by some angels. It sure makes you wonder, what kind of person this baby is going to be for this kind of reception to His birth. The father was quite taken aback by their appearance. That was something by the way. I'm not sure that the boy will look much like his father. It is early, though, and I could be mistaken about that. I'd like to meet the child when He grows up just to see how He turns out.

A Neighbor in Nazereth

Have you heard? That young Mary is pregnant! Just married Joseph, too! Makes you wonder what these young people are up to these days!

Now I realize that Mary did go to Judea recently to see her Aunt Elizabeth, but it really seems strange for her to be pregnant so soon after the wedding! It just can't be Joseph's baby, not so soon. He really should do something about it. It

really is a scandal the way these young people behave these days! And Mary was supposed to be so good and special, at least according to her mother! Just goes to show that you never know what is going to happen when it comes to young people. I wonder though, whose baby that is that Mary is carrying. We probably will never know.

An Angel

I really don't understand any of it at all! Why does the Boss even bother with these folks at all?  Why,  He just gets things settled, and the next thing you look, they're back to the same old stuff again. Always wandering away from the path they were shown - and chose.

Now it seems that He's decided to take the form of one of them - starting as a baby! I don't know what the long-term plan is, but to live down there! It just doesn't make sense. Frankly, I'm glad that I'm not in charge! I'd have gotten rid of the lot of them long ago!

Don't get me wrong. If the plan is followed the way I hear it is to go, I'll celebrate with the rest. I mean, it's a big thing and that baby boy will be a very special baby, and a very important Man. I just hope that those folks will listen to the message for a change. And I mean really listen! Those folks do tend to put their own spin on what they have been told.

Hmmm, sounds like things are warming up. There's the choir getting ready. Better go, because I'm supposed to be a part of it.

Elizabeth

Luke 1:19,39

I had not had any children. So when my husband came back from the temple and let me know what he had been told, of course I was overjoyed.  I was a little unsure, mainly because I was past the age when a woman normally can have a child. But I was soon aware that there was  a child there.

When Mary came to see me, my boy really let me know, even though he was still in the womb. He really began moving around -a lot! It was apparent that Mary was going to give birth to a very special boy, who was going to be important for all people. I really loved my John. But he was to be a prophet for God,

which called for some sacrifices. I did back the choices that he made. At least people could no longer say that I was barren!

Gift

The greatest gift
Ever given
Is love.
Now let us all
Turn around
And give that gift
To others we meet
As we go
Along the way.

2007

Prepare the way
For now comes God
Into our lives.
Wait and be prepared
For God comes to us
Not with blare
Of trumpets,
But quietly
As a baby.

2003

Spirit among us,
Come to save us,
Love us
And make us
Wholly yours.

Come and see, God is here
In unexpected form,
A baby born
And God's spirit
Is here

Christmas 1979

Angels sing

On high

Proclaiming

To one and all

“The time is here!”

And lo,

A babe is born

In Bethlehem.

Christmas 2015

Sing praises
To the newborn King!
Sing for joy
For the peace and love
He brings!
Come now and sing
Praises!

Love has

Love has become flesh
And dwells with us,
Bringing light
Into this darkened world.

Christmas 2010

Light is come

Into our world,

Bringing to all

Love beyond

All understanding.

Together

Let us get together
And give to the world
Two very special gifts:
Peace and Love.
Together, we can do it.
Together, we can learn
What Peace is;
How to really
Love each other.

Celebrating Peace and Love

This is supposed to be a time to celebrate Peace and Love.  So let us all, each one, work to bring Peace and Love to our war weary world.  How?  Look around and see what is there for you to do.  Find someone in need and help them, expecting nothing back.  See that the homeless have a place to stay.  Smile at people.  Don't make snap judgements about people based on their religion, accept them as they are, valuable people in their own right.  There are more things that could be done, but each good act makes this world a better place.  Try it on for size now.  The people need it.  Peace and Love to ALL.

Light 7

Come, know

That the light

Once became flesh

And dwelt among us

To show us all

How to live

Together

In God's love.

Light 6

And the light

Was bright

In the night sky,

Showing Magi

The place

Where the baby

Could be found.

Light 5

The light was bright

As Angels sang

And told shepherds

About the birth

And where the baby

Would be found.

Light 4

The light shown out

Marking the place

Where the baby lay,

Showing the people

Where to go

To find that special

Baby boy.

Light 3

It's a baby born

In a stable

Who brings light

Into the world.

And all people

Around the world

Will hear

Of that birth.