Love reading comments from everyone. Looks like we are a very happy family! My neice gives me this every year for Christmas. Couldn't ask for a better present! I also learn many things that I never knew before. Vey quick puzzle to do.
Hi aussiesapphire. I am also from Australia although I am currently living in China - hence the Chinese flag.
aussiesapphire
Dec 17, 2016
Where in Aus? I am close to Brisbane. Nice to see you again. Hugs.
cytak22
Dec 18, 2016
We have a house in Murwillumbah.
aussiesapphire
Dec 18, 2016
I grew up in the Lismore/Mullumbimby area. Not too far from you. What took you to China? Hugs.
cytak22
Jan 3, 2017
Sorry for the slow reply, I was away for two weeks Christmas holidays. My husband teaches Economics at a school here and loves it. We have been here for ten years now.
aussiesapphire
Jan 3, 2017
I imagine it was quite a change for the both of you and a great way to learn a new language. Hugs.
Aussie shared her Christmas poem - made me want to share mine.
CHRISTMAS TIME
Christmas is a time
Of candy canes and toys,
And Santa Claus who comes
To good little girls and boys,
Of visiting with family
And lots of Christmas cheer
While running up those bills
We'll be paying off all year.
But for me it's something different.
It commemorates the day
That gives me the assurance
Someone hears me when I pray.
It reminds me of the birth
of Jesus Christ, my Lord,
And the truth that's in the Bible,
Sharper than a sword.
It reminds me of a baby
Who grew to be a man,
Who died to save my soul,
Doing what no man can.
It reminds me of my God,
So mighty and so great,
And the life that waits for me
Just inside the pearly gate,
Of the word that He has left
-- A map to follow Him
And the Holy Ghost to fill us
Right up to the brim.
As I view the world around me
-- The reindeer, gifts and holly,
My soul is filled with sadness
For lost mankind and his folly,
But my heart is filled with joy
(Contradicting, but it's true)
For I'm reminded of the love
God has for me and you.
So, at this Christmas season
Filled with artificial joy,
Let your mind drift back
To the birth of a Baby Boy
And the true joy in your heart
That you can feel this day
-- All you have to do
Is get on your knees and pray.
Absolutely beautiful nlb - thank you so much for sharing. Hugs.
Coravee
Dec 14, 2016
Thanks. nlb.
mamag15
Dec 14, 2016
Loe Christmas poems and music. Very beautiful nib.
aknan
Dec 14, 2016
Beautiful and heartfelt, nlb. Thank you.
itsy60
Dec 14, 2016
So true, nlb. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas.
pixipixil
Dec 14, 2016
Lovely, nlb. I especially like the third stanza. Where would we be without that?
trynfindit
Dec 14, 2016
Most excellent nlb.
JoyceRogers
Dec 15, 2016
So beautiful and inspiring! He came to save us from ourselves, so that we can spend eternity in perfect peace with Him!
kjd3682
Dec 15, 2016
Thanks nlb, that's beautiful!
minkacat805
Dec 15, 2016
So beautiful NLB. Thank you for sharing your poem with all of us!!
retirenow14
Dec 18, 2016
Wow, nice poem, Nibuchanan! I agree with the premise. However, growing up believing in Santa Claus and living in a house liberally decorated with Christmas decorations makes me smile when I see Christmasy things this time of year. However, a very nice manger was prominently displayed on top of the buffet, upon which I loved to gaze. Sadly, children no longer sing songs like Silent Night. Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Away In the Manger, etc. in school music classes, as we did decades ago. I think we were enveloped in a religious and kinder worldly Christmas blend then. People want too much this time of year and stores push the season too early. It is no where near as special as I remember it in the 50's.
pixipixil
Dec 18, 2016
Agree retirenow. It's the spirit that's missing. Nothing wrong with parties and decorations and gifts if the underlying spirit is one of thankfulness towards God.
nlbuchanan
Dec 19, 2016
I also agree. I wrote this in the late nineties, shortly after being led to God. Since that time I have learned to better understand and balance what I live with and what I live for. I put up a Christmas tree but there are no Santas in my house. Even that may seem a bit harsh, but that is the line I have felt led to draw. God bless you all and thank you for not being shy about disagreeing with me for fear of offending me. We are all free to believe what we will and I treasure that freedom. Again, God bless you all. Merry Christmas.
aknan
Dec 19, 2016
Well said, nlb.
nlbuchanan
Dec 19, 2016
Thank you. I struggled to find the right words but felt it was important that I do.
pixipixil
Dec 19, 2016
Thank you, nlb. You are a very dear person and we all love you and your poems even if we don't feel exactly th same we understand where you are coming from and it's a beautiful place.
May He never cause your foot to slip. May He slumber not who guards you. Indeed He neither slumbers nor sleeps.
Glenelle
Dec 16, 2016
I love that verse. It was one of the last scripture verses that I heard my Dad recite, before he died at the age of 59. He had been a Pastor for about 25 years.
pixipixil
Dec 16, 2016
That's a very young age for dying. Do you mind saying what he died from, Glenelle? I'm sorry you had him with you such a short time.
CHRISTMAS TIME
Christmas is a time
Of candy canes and toys,
And Santa Claus who comes
To good little girls and boys,
Of visiting with family
And lots of Christmas cheer
While running up those bills
We'll be paying off all year.
But for me it's something different.
It commemorates the day
That gives me the assurance
Someone hears me when I pray.
It reminds me of the birth
of Jesus Christ, my Lord,
And the truth that's in the Bible,
Sharper than a sword.
It reminds me of a baby
Who grew to be a man,
Who died to save my soul,
Doing what no man can.
It reminds me of my God,
So mighty and so great,
And the life that waits for me
Just inside the pearly gate,
Of the word that He has left
-- A map to follow Him
And the Holy Ghost to fill us
Right up to the brim.
As I view the world around me
-- The reindeer, gifts and holly,
My soul is filled with sadness
For lost mankind and his folly,
But my heart is filled with joy
(Contradicting, but it's true)
For I'm reminded of the love
God has for me and you.
So, at this Christmas season
Filled with artificial joy,
Let your mind drift back
To the birth of a Baby Boy
And the true joy in your heart
That you can feel this day
-- All you have to do
Is get on your knees and pray.
nlbuchanan (c)
C4J team: Where is this mountain? Is this part of the Rocky Mountain range?