The Shepherds’ Watch (pt. 2)

The sky streams bright, a thousand streams of burnished, flashing light power vaster than the sea that dulls the brightest fireside in white and holy flame. – A voice that speaks, a mighty voice of bold encouragement: A Savior come to earth for us? Greater David, David’s town? a child-spark, a flame? – Now hosts […]

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The Sphere

A sphere of black the earth around and daily year by night more dark with grime and smudge becomes as spreads the ancient blight of sin’s deluding reverie and people bound. – It breaks like new, the hope-full old that here and born tonight: that flash of glow, the light to come an ancient spark […]

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Yahweh Saves

Long ago, the promise came to a man and woman wrung from their first grasp of evil. Justice, yes, but mercy’s flame flickered brightest in the words the Wronged Sovereign gave. He Himself would take our frame— the Maker knit together in a virgin’s womb. Angels at His birth proclaimed hope for all the earth […]

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Christ, the Thorn

Sing praises to the Mighty One and worship Him this morn, enlarge your heart to praise the name of Jesus Christ the thorn. – There obscure and unadorned was baby Jesus born yet Shepherds, angels, wise men bowed in praise to Jesus Christ the thorn – No glorious beauty He possessed the faithful, long fore-sworn. […]

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The Shepherds’ Watch

The sky looms dark–and deeply dark as here beneath we sit– blots of shadow wrapped in night and only lighting when we rise and walk to see the flame. – The sheep will go where I will go and follow comically, brushing up against my leg, trusting that I know the way to lead them […]

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The God of Elizabeth

While at His greatest work, His mercy stitching ancient words into reality, preparing the way age by age for the sunrise from on high, the salvation of His people, the hope of mankind— the LORD also lifted the life-grief of one barren woman whom He loved.

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Ice Advisory

Ice advisory crackles on the radio frost and ice (not snow) but ice. The air tings sharp—like rigid glass— The clouds are porcelain, the breeze a wet snap snipping by promising the things that will never fall..till now? – Ice advisory. Tonight the wood-burn stove purrs as liquid flames turn brown to grey…and cold as […]

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Let All Earthly Men Rejoice

Children of the earth rejoice and prostrate all your shame Raise as one your ransomed voice and kneel to God again. No longer let the darkness rule the souls His scars have saved; but lift on high the glorious jewel and stand and walk amazed – The earth is broad; and rich and warm The […]

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Invincible

Make our hands weak, and we will be strong.   Take all our goods, and we will be rich.   Inflict pain on us, and we will be healed.   Make us your slaves, and we will be free.   Give us to death, and we will live.   Our God is with us.

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