Nativity

 

NATIVITY

It's unpacked first

before the rest -

the nativity,

for all to see.

The stable crude

with a cow that mooed

and a donkey gray

laying in the hay.

Perhaps there are fowl

or a barnyard owl.

Maybe sheep and goats

with woolly winter coats.

If you listen you might hear

the barnyard animals cheer

with bleats and brays and moos and coos

or even a cock-a-doodle-doo.

Look inside the stable, there you'll find

Joseph and his wife Mary, so kind,

bending over the manger bed

where baby Jesus laid his head.

The manger, the animals feeding trough,

filled with hay so it wouldn't be rough

was shared by the animals that night.

A night filled with surprise and delight.

Weary from their trip and from childbirth

this night God sent His only Son to earth,

Mary and Joseph sent a prayer of praise

to thank God for His wonderful ways.

For a safe trip through the hills

and a warm place to stay filled

with animals

was special.

There's the angel hovering

who told the shepherds abiding

that Jesus Christ was born

in the town of Bethlehem.

See, the shepherds are here

with lambs and sheep near

to see this Savior

who would bring favor.

For the angel announced "good tidings

of great joy" to the shepherds abiding

and they hurried to Bethlehem

to see this divine newborn.

So awed by this reverent event

the shepherds told whoever they met

all they had seen and heard.

Today this news is still told.

All those who heard were amazed

with wonderment at this new phase

and bore witness of this news.

Good news for me and you.

If you look up in the sky

you'll see a bright star up high

much larger than the rest

coming from the east.

In the distance you might see

camels clumping through the trees

laden with packages to give as presents

from wise men who seek the Christ-child's presence.

These presents we read,

amounted to three:

gold, frankincense, and myrrh -

for a king they were.

Next time you get out your nativity

be reminded of this first Christmas story

for its story never grows old

no matter how often it's told.

* * * * *

There's always something that grabs my attention.

This year it was "glory" that merited meditation.

Luke 2:9 "The glory of the Lord shone around"

when the angel spoke to the shepherds on the ground.

"Glory to God in the highest..."

for God's name is above the rest.

Giving glory to God should be

our catch-phrase until eternity.

Simply say out loud in conversation

"Thank You, Lord," will be honoring.

"God Bless You" upon parting

reminds one God's presence is everlasting.

Then when that day does come

when our earthly work is done

giving God the glory

will be our life's story.

When we do give God the glory

God's glory will shine all around.

So give God glory, instead of worry.

You'll find blessings abundant will abound.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them...

Luke 2:9

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host

appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest..."

Luke 2:13

God's Gift to Us - Christmas

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I'm Thankful For...

 (Hopefully before published, will be "enhanced," not so repetitive.)

I'M THANKFUL FOR

I'm thankful for skies of blue

and the morning's sparkling dew

covering blooms that grew

in a rainbow of hues

every morning like bright jewels

making for a pretty view.

I'm thankful for birds that flew

and to hear them sing coo coo

for songs brighten my day anew

giving me a much clearer view

of God's goodness to me and you.

Is it the same for you too?

I'm thankful for rainbows, too,

and the sunset's golden hue

for both are God's jewels

sent to me and you

as promises anew

of God's faithfulness true.

I'm thankful for days rainy and cool

for rain greens the grass to look like new

and fresh vegetables will grow anew

in a rainbow of colors, it's true.

One day they'll make a healthy stew

to keep me safe from the flu.

I'm thankful for cattle that moo

and for animals that live in zoos

where they are cared for by a crew

of working men and women who

enjoy their work each day anew.

You should plan a trip to the zoo.

I'm thankful that everyday is a school

where I always learn something brand new

or perhaps something I once knew

for I tend to forget, it's true.

Is it the same way for you too?

Learning gives us a clearer view.

I'm thankful for garden tools.

Some purchased, some like new

given by friends who knew

I needed a helper to

control how the garden grew.

Tools are helpmates and cool.

I'm thankful everyday, it's true,

but not for insects, they're cruel,

nor for those bucks and does who

visit during the night to

eat my garden's view.

It's like my garden woos.

I'm thankful that when bills come due

I'm able to pay each month anew

for God supplies all my needs, it's true,

and many of my selfish wants, too.

Did you know God's Word says we're His jewel?

I know God is faithful to you too.

I'm thankful for the Creator who

provides and protects me each day anew.

Who proves His love for me, it's true,

by His faithfulness sent from above to

bless me and those I love anew

with His best as we follow God's rules.

I'm thankful for celebration's ado

with Valentines sent from you know who,

Easter baskets filled with surprises new,

Halloween when children say boo to you,

then Thanksgiving when we review,

Christmas - God's gift to me and you.

I'm thankful when it's your birthday too

when a special cake is baked for you

to be shared with those who love you

celebrating you with much ado.

My, how the years flew

when the young ones grew.

I'm thankful everyday there's always something new

to be thankful for. I'm sure you already knew.

Being thankful is a mindset to see what's true

then daily dwell on that truth each day anew

until thankfulness resides in you.

Being thankful will chase away the blues.

I'm thankful for many friends who

were sent by God for He just knew

who I would need when He sent you

and blessed me with the gift of you.

May God always bless you

with peace and joy anew.

* * * * *

And may each and every day you too

find much to be thankful for anew.

Being thankful gives us a new view

refreshing us like cool morning dew

while worries, over which we stew,

weigh us down like sticky glue.

Remember this rule:

Thankfulness rules!

It's a jewel

of many hues -

physically, emotionally, it's true,

mentally and spiritually too.

Be joyful always;

pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Give thanks to the Lord,

for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

Thanks be to God!

He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 15:57

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

The Day Before Thanksgiving

 The Day Before Thanksgiving

The day before Thanksgiving

in this blessed country we’re living

our kitchens are a-flutter.

Don’t forget the butter.

The day before Thanksgiving

there are pies baking in the oven

with cinnamon and allspice.

Doesn’t it all smell nice!

The day before Thanksgiving

the turkey’s still defrosting;

butternut squash is ready for roasting

when the pies come out of the oven.

The day before Thanksgiving

there’s day-old bread for cubing

to mix with poultry seasoning,

causing some to be sneezing.

The day before Thanksgiving

celery and onions are sauteing

to be added to the stuffing

or do you call it dressing?

The day before Thanksgiving

the refrigerator’s stuffed with everything.

In fact, each one’s favorite foods for eating,

as everyone is preparing for a day of feasting.

The day before Thanksgiving

the pretty company dishes need a quick washing,

perhaps the tablecloths or linens need pressing –

and there doesn’t seem to be time for everything.

The day before Thanksgiving

our country is preparing

for a day of feasting

with much thanksgiving.

* * * * *

The day before Thanksgiving

with thankful hearts we’re intent on giving

a prayer of gratitude overflowing

for much more than the food we’re busy cooking.

We’re thankful for our loved ones,

those near and those far from home,

for those added to the family

and those now in eternity.

We’re thankful for everyone’s health

regardless of what has been dwelt -

for adversity teaches us to trust,

growing our faith, which is God’s best for us.

We’re thankful for freedom to worship

with others in like fellowship,

to pray for one another

and encourage each other.

We’re thankful for God’s Word

which helps keep us moored

in choosing to do what’s right,

to stand firm in faith, not sight.

We’re thankful for God’s Word which keeps us nourished

so that our faith will grow strong and flourish,

as God’s Word is food for the soul -

sustenance to keep us well and whole.

We’re thankful for …

(be sure to discuss what you’re thankful for).

Foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving

by those who believe and who know the truth.

For everything God created is good.

I Timothy 4:3-4

Let us come before him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

The Thanksgiving table when I was young was heavy-laden with everything the vegetable garden produced, including a variety of pickles.  Even the turkey was home grown; with more in the freezer. Cranberry relish from the recipe on the back of the fresh cranberry package. I didn't know until years later that celery hearts were part of the celebration in honor of dad's dad.  At least three types of pies made from what was home grown.  Reminded of the hymns, "We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing..." and "Come ye thankful people come, join the song of harvest home.  All is safely gathered in..."  My parents root cellar and well house was full.  Colorful quarts and pints lined the shelves.  Burlap bags of root vegetables in the well house.  Certainly a time of thanksgiving, to remember God's abundant blessings, especially the blessing of family. 

GATHERING

 

Gathering

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing

as friends and family join in one big union

around the table abundantly laden

with the garden's yearly colorful offerings.

But before we partake by dining

we'll offer up heartfelt thanksgiving

by coming together with a connecting

of everyone's hands around the table joining.

There's the large calloused hands of those who labor,

rather fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers,

co-joined with the frail, soft hands of one's great grandmother,

who may join hands with a pudgy-fisted toddler.

There's the hands of the ones who prepared dinner,

perhaps roughened and red from cold weather,

linked with antsy teenagers

who can't wait to eat dinner.

Hands that create

and others that bake

something for dinner tonight

which brings diners delight.

Other times two loving hands connect

though this merging is often too quick.

Fingers wearing rings engraved with "together forever"

and other fingers with scars and stains worn forever.

There are hands dotted with age spots;

lined hands that have seen a lot

of sorrows and joys

as their hands employed.

If only these hands could talk

they'd tell tales that you'd never thought.

Sometimes this familiar joining

is meant to stop fidgeting.

Hands with short fingers still growing,

slender fingers of one blossoming

wearing nail polish expressing

one's individuality often.

Hands that lovingly care,

hands that often share,

hands that burdens bear,

hands daily pressed in prayer.

Hands in all shapes and sizes, eight fingers, two thumbs,

in various shades, belonging to a loved one,

held together for a moment in time -

a familiar tie in which love binds.

Hands joined together with thankful hearts

that one day will no longer park

around this table any longer,

replaced by hands of a stranger.

Yet this stranger one day invited in

becomes family, now known as kin.

This gathering around the table becomes

to new family members a heartfelt welcome.

May this day as you gather together to eat

become a time when hands reach out to greet,

to connect with a loving heart

before dining begins to start.

Holding hands in prayer,

thanking God for His care,

then God's goodness share

through abundant fare.

* * * * *

Have you ever thought about God's hands?

Every day they uphold men and women

and care for His beloved children

for in God's hands there is a saving plan

to sustain and protect all humans

across all countries and distant lands.

He's got the whole world in His hands...

He's got you and me brother in His hands...

He's got you and me sister in His hands...

He's got the little tiny babies His hands...

He's got the whole world in His hands...

Here's some selected verses from Psalms

on which to quietly reflect on

about God's awesome hands.

Hands which fill us with songs

with grateful thanksgiving on our tongues

giving praise to God to whom we belong.

You have made known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

You give me your shield of victory,

and your right hand sustains me;

you stoop down to make me great.

Psalm 18:35

Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;

he answers him from his holy heaven

with the saving power of his right hand.

Psalm 20:6

Into your hands I commit my spirit.

Psalm 31:5

My times are in your hands.

Psalm 31:15

If the Lord delights in a man's way,

he makes his steps firm;

though he stumble, he will not fall,

for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 37:23-24

In your majesty ride forth victoriously

in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness;

let your right hand display awesome deeds.

Psalm 45:4

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8

You hold me by your right hand.

You guide me with you counsel...

Psalm 73:23-24

Your arm is endued with power;

your hand is strong,

your right hand exalted.

Psalm 89:13

For the Lord is the great God,

the great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth,

and the mountain peaks belong to him.

The seas is his, for he made it,

and his hands formed the dry land.

Psalm 95:3-5

Help me, O Lord my God;

save me in accordance with your love.

Let them know that it is your hand,

that you, O Lord, have done it.

Psalm 109:26-27

The Lord's right hand is lifted high;

the Lord's right hand has done mighty things!

Psalm 118:16

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm;

His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:12

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

you preserve my life;

you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,

with your right hand you save me.

Psalm 138:7

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;

your love, O Lord, endures forever -

do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 138:8

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

NESTS

 Story from Life Is a Garden Party, Vol V.

NESTS

In the crab apple tree sits a nest

where last year blue jays built a twig nest

to raise their family,

nestled quite cozily.

All through the winter the nest was seen

after the tree dropped its leaves of green.

Some days piled high when the snow flew.

Other days swayed when a wind blew through.

But the nest was built high in the crotch

where it remained secure in its notch

to withstand many of nature's storms -

rather snow, rain, or wind storms.

This spring morning a gray mourning dove with her husband

were seen taking up residence in the nest abandoned.

There they sat nestled side by side,

though the nest isn't very wide.

Cuddled in their new home

in the treetop enthroned.

I wonder if their coo-coo was in agreement?

If so, they would provide me with days of enjoyment.

For in about two weeks

hairless babies will peek -

quite curious

yet serious.

I’m in the habit of welcoming them

conversing daily as they peek out to listen.

Making up their minds

if I’m foe or kind.

I can tell as “me, me, me” is heard

from these hairless baby birds

as parents take turns flying in

with a protein snack as they’re growing.

Busy parents find something for breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner and snack.

Soon feathers will grow in, then they grow too large for their nest.

Before I know it they will fly;

leaving me behind to cry.

My (adoptive) mother’s heart is forlorn

for each year I mourn

when babies fly their coop

leaving me behind to cope.

(Each species of bird builds a distinct nest. Robin’s nests are very structured, filled with mud [nature’s air conditioning?]; mourning dove’s nests are just a few haphazard twigs, not really a recognizable nest at all; some birds collect the thinnest dried grasses; I understand hummingbird’s nests are comprised of spider webs. I’ve even seen dog hair added to nests as I used to brush my dogs outside. A soft fur-lined bed. A study in various nests will help you identify which bird species. Avail yourself to use google to recognize bird sounds via videos.)

* * * * *

Have you ever watched a feathered family

raise their brood of fledglings up in the heavenlies?

They have a lesson to teach us.

These life lessons are a must.

You'll learn it takes a mother and a father

to raise a brood of fledglings together.

These parents work together to build a secure nest or home.

After the nest is prepared, they give birth to daughters or sons.

Together they take turns nesting,

expecting, cooing, protecting.

Then when the babies are hatched

the real work begins in their thatch.

Every minute or so one flies in

with a yummy dinner or a drink brings.

The babies beaks open wide

while one parent is seen nigh.

That parent keeps a keen look out

for whatever danger is about.

They then change places, for taking care of their little ones

is too big of a responsibility for just one.

They have much to teach

in just two weeks

all their birdbrain knows

to their babies who grow.

Though human parents have many more years

to teach their children what's right or what to fear,

even though sometimes children seem outside their reach,

feathered parents have the same lessons to teach.

When human fledglings mature

after being nurtured,

parents have a hard time adjusting

to the now empty-nest syndrome.

Feathered parents

learn to adjust,

just as human parents

must someday adjust.

How quickly the years went by.

Too soon it's time to say bye-bye.

Though children think they have learned,

they soon find out there's still much to learn.

Here's a lesson for parents to remember:

offspring seem to know it all as teenagers.

At 20 or so they know they think they know more than their parents.

Around 30 they begin to realize they had wise parents.

Around 40 they find out they didn't know it all after all.

Around 50 they know they'll never know it all,

that there's something new to learn everyday

if they have an open mind to learn each day.

They may even seek out the sage for advice

for their elders have wisdom to suffice.

These sage ones have learned to wait to be asked,

otherwise youth will become defensive and retract.

So if you think your situation is hopeless, it's not.

Give your child a chance to grow, then one day what was taught

will come full circle.

A prayed-for miracle.

Train up a child in the way he should go

and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

These commandments that I give you today

are to be upon your hearts.

Impress them on your children.

Talk about them when you sit at home

and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Five sparrows are sold for two pennies.

Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.

Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Don't be afraid;

you are worth more than many sparrows.

Luke 12:6-7

Look at the birds of the air;

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:26

Photo taken in January.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

 

Fall Snow

There’s fluffy, white snow in the air

collecting on grass like white hair,

though does not disappear

when the sun appears.

It’s nearly 55 degrees

this afternoon and there’s a breeze.

This snow sticks around

covering the ground.

It’s silky to the touch,

this little white puff,

which blows in the wind

in every direction.

Thousands spread like new fallen snow

imitating snowflakes, you know,

but not the frozen kind

that falls in the wintertime.

This snow always comes in October

and is even seen in November.

It’s encapsulated in a pod

before it lands on the sod.

When the pod matures

new life will endure

for a seed will disperse

somewhere on the earth.

What is this crazy snow

that in October blows,

but never melts

wherever dwelt.

Its the color of milk

over the ground split

that grows from a seed,

also known as a weed.

Its name is hidden above

if it’s puzzles you love.

It’s a common weed that has milk in its name.

Its scented flower attracts monarchs, as its fame.

In the summer it has a pretty scent.

Soon after the pretty flowers are spent

it develops into a pod.

I take it you know, as you nod.

This silky snowflake is a milkweed seed

that imitates real falling snow, indeed.

Isn’t nature fun!

Let’s go play in the sun.

Do allow milkweed to grow as it's monarchs host plant.

* * * * *

What did you do just for fun today?

Be sure to do something fun everyday.

Do something that will bring a smile.

Being kind to someone brings a smile.

Keep an attitude of wonder

despite troubles you ponder.

Be sure to smile often.

It will release tension.

See humor wherever you go.

Maybe in pretend milkweed snow.

Don’t squelch child-like enthusiasm.

Keep an attitude of optimism.

A change of attitude

will always change your mood

so look on the sunny side -

and in faith daily abide.

Our mouths were filled with laughter,

our tongues with songs of joy...

The Lord has done great things for us,

and we are filled with joy.

Psalm 126:2-3

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter

and your lips with shouts of joy.

Job 8:21

Where morning dawns and evening fades

you call forth songs of joy.

Psalm 65:8

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Regarding fun activities: If only my parents had thought to label potato digging as an Easter Egg Hunt, it would have been more appealing to me. I refer to my 20’ row as an annual Easter Egg Hunt. Playing this game turns it into an adventure. Something I look forward to.