Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
Seasons Greetings to Everyone! This week I'd like to share another one of my Christmas poems with you. I pray it blesses you with God's Peace now and throughout the upcoming New Year!
O Child of Grace!
There is hope for this war-torn Christmas season,
that goes beyond all commonsense or reason.
For what Christ gave to this earth,
was the Promise of a new birth,
and as we struggle to win the fight
let us remember, on that long ago Bethlehem night
Christ came to earth a Child,
soft, gentle and mild.
And just as Joseph and Mary weighed this same Truth
so do I now Lord, as I think of You.
"O Child of Grace, Child of wonder,
filled with all mysteries yet to be pondered.
I ask Thee to come, dwell here in my heart,
imbue me with the assurance You will never depart."
With these words I am replenished with His abiding Peace,
and the knowledge He will never cease,
to change
and rearrange,
my life to resemble His.
Oh! How precious His Love really is!
With this my soul bursts forth in song to sing,
"Jesus Christ is Immanuel, God Incarnate, the Everlasting King of Kings!"
Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie
Written on:
December 7, 1993
About Me
- Belle Anne Leslie
- I love to write poetry, fiction, non-fiction and feature articles!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
A Christmas Prayer for Soldiers Everywhere
Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
During this Christmas season I wanted to take the time to say," Thank You!" to all the soldiers around the globe still fighting for freedom. I received this poem in the mail from the Disabled America Veterans. It so touched me I'd like to share it with all of you.
Untitled
'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon 'round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
my life is my God, my Country, my Corps."
The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still
and we both shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night."
-Anonymous-
Merry Christmas Everyone! Please say a prayer for all those still serving at home and in far distant lands. God Bless!
During this Christmas season I wanted to take the time to say," Thank You!" to all the soldiers around the globe still fighting for freedom. I received this poem in the mail from the Disabled America Veterans. It so touched me I'd like to share it with all of you.
Untitled
'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon 'round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
my life is my God, my Country, my Corps."
The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still
and we both shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night."
-Anonymous-
Merry Christmas Everyone! Please say a prayer for all those still serving at home and in far distant lands. God Bless!
The Nativity Story, Part Two
Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
This year marks the sixth year without my Mom, and the second without my Dad. Christmas for them always meant two things: families spending time together and food to share. Mom loved to bake. Each October, she and I would start baking pies ( Sweet potato, Raisin, Apple, pumpkin, lemon meringue, etc.), cookies, our famous Christmas Peanut Butter fudge, equally famous cheese biscuits, cinnamon rolls, and whatever else Mom could think of. The lucky recipients would be our family, friends and the Pastors' families. On Christmas morning, we would roll out of bed, to the smell of steaming hot coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice and hot buttery cinnamon or crescent rolls. Depending on how much money we had.
On a much smaller scale I still bake. These days, members of my family are likely to receive chocolate chip or peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, my Autumn Harvest Peach Pie or Mom's Sugarless Apple Pie.
On Christmas morning, it's usually me and my cat Sweet Pea, enjoying crescent rolls and hot cranberry apple herbal tea. Then later in the day, I'll call my sister, brother, friends and family, long distance and local, to wish them a Merry Christmas!
Which is what I am doing with you today. I pray all of you reading this have a blessed and joyous Merry Christmas, and an equally Happy New Year! I'm also sharing with you my own Christmas tradition, one of my Christmas poems. Enjoy!
The Messiah
Long ago and far away,
there began a brand new day
when time stood still
and revealed to us, God's Will.
We shepherds watched from afar,
the bright and shining Star,
when the Angel appeared,
and told us, "Do not fear!"
Then a Heavenly Host began to sing,
"Jesus Christ has come as King!"
We arose and flew,
to see if it was true!
In Bethlehem we found
Him, and gathered 'round,
to worship Him as King
for the Messiah had come to reign!
On that cold, starry night,
He had shed His awesome might,
coming to earth, a Child
soft, gentle and mild.
His Love unfolding as if in a dream,
flooded earth with its stream,
bathing us in God's sight,
as we beheld His Holy Light.
In this day and age
as nations war in rage,
God wants us to remember,
the time we have to choose Him, won't last forever.
So, during this war-torn holiday season
please consider the reason
Jesus came to this earth:
we have the chance for a new birth.
Through Jesus' atoning sacrifice
we can have eternal life.
The forgiveness of our sins
IF, we ask Him to come and live within
our hearts. Then we too will lift our voices to sing,
"Thank you Father God, the Messiah reigns!"
Written by:
Mildred A. Baker
& Belle Anne Leslie
Written on:
December 19, 1990
Scripture Reference:
Luke 2:8-20
One last note: On Friday, December 1, 2006, the movie The Nativity Story hit theatres nationwide. Please take a couple of hours to go see it. I promise you, it will light a spark of Christmas Spirit in your hearts. Enjoy! Merry Christmas!
This year marks the sixth year without my Mom, and the second without my Dad. Christmas for them always meant two things: families spending time together and food to share. Mom loved to bake. Each October, she and I would start baking pies ( Sweet potato, Raisin, Apple, pumpkin, lemon meringue, etc.), cookies, our famous Christmas Peanut Butter fudge, equally famous cheese biscuits, cinnamon rolls, and whatever else Mom could think of. The lucky recipients would be our family, friends and the Pastors' families. On Christmas morning, we would roll out of bed, to the smell of steaming hot coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice and hot buttery cinnamon or crescent rolls. Depending on how much money we had.
On a much smaller scale I still bake. These days, members of my family are likely to receive chocolate chip or peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, my Autumn Harvest Peach Pie or Mom's Sugarless Apple Pie.
On Christmas morning, it's usually me and my cat Sweet Pea, enjoying crescent rolls and hot cranberry apple herbal tea. Then later in the day, I'll call my sister, brother, friends and family, long distance and local, to wish them a Merry Christmas!
Which is what I am doing with you today. I pray all of you reading this have a blessed and joyous Merry Christmas, and an equally Happy New Year! I'm also sharing with you my own Christmas tradition, one of my Christmas poems. Enjoy!
The Messiah
Long ago and far away,
there began a brand new day
when time stood still
and revealed to us, God's Will.
We shepherds watched from afar,
the bright and shining Star,
when the Angel appeared,
and told us, "Do not fear!"
Then a Heavenly Host began to sing,
"Jesus Christ has come as King!"
We arose and flew,
to see if it was true!
In Bethlehem we found
Him, and gathered 'round,
to worship Him as King
for the Messiah had come to reign!
On that cold, starry night,
He had shed His awesome might,
coming to earth, a Child
soft, gentle and mild.
His Love unfolding as if in a dream,
flooded earth with its stream,
bathing us in God's sight,
as we beheld His Holy Light.
In this day and age
as nations war in rage,
God wants us to remember,
the time we have to choose Him, won't last forever.
So, during this war-torn holiday season
please consider the reason
Jesus came to this earth:
we have the chance for a new birth.
Through Jesus' atoning sacrifice
we can have eternal life.
The forgiveness of our sins
IF, we ask Him to come and live within
our hearts. Then we too will lift our voices to sing,
"Thank you Father God, the Messiah reigns!"
Written by:
Mildred A. Baker
& Belle Anne Leslie
Written on:
December 19, 1990
Scripture Reference:
Luke 2:8-20
One last note: On Friday, December 1, 2006, the movie The Nativity Story hit theatres nationwide. Please take a couple of hours to go see it. I promise you, it will light a spark of Christmas Spirit in your hearts. Enjoy! Merry Christmas!
The Nativity Story, Part One
Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
Well, it's official, winter is here. Along with winter came the arrival of the Christmas season, one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar, second only to Easter. For most people the hustle and bustle of buying toys, and gifts for the season takes precedence over spiritual matters. Once, that was not always so. Over three thousand years ago, Christmas came into being on a cold night in a little town called Bethlehem Ephratah, in Israel. There a small child entered the world and brought God face to face with His creation. The baby's name: Immanuel, means "God With Us." Most know Him today as Jesus.
Christmas is the celebration of His birth. For the next several weeks I'm going to share with you some poems that (hopefully!) will give light and joy to your lives. I also pray as you read and share them, that you will take a moment during the festivities to give thanks to God, for the wonderful gift He gave us in His Son.
The Christmas King
Humbly, He laid in a manger
the greatest Gift of all.
He was treated like a stranger
yet, He loves us big and small.
He is the Promised One
who has come to set us free.
For, He is God's Son
who died upon Calvary's tree.
The gift goes on . . .
let us love and adore Him.
The birth of this lovely one,
who found no room in the inn.
Go, tell it as the wise men did
over the mountains and the hills,
"Jesus Christ has come to Live.
He is the Hope for this world's ills!"
Written by:
Mildred A. Baker
&
Belle Anne Leslie
Written on:
December 15, 1990
Well, it's official, winter is here. Along with winter came the arrival of the Christmas season, one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar, second only to Easter. For most people the hustle and bustle of buying toys, and gifts for the season takes precedence over spiritual matters. Once, that was not always so. Over three thousand years ago, Christmas came into being on a cold night in a little town called Bethlehem Ephratah, in Israel. There a small child entered the world and brought God face to face with His creation. The baby's name: Immanuel, means "God With Us." Most know Him today as Jesus.
Christmas is the celebration of His birth. For the next several weeks I'm going to share with you some poems that (hopefully!) will give light and joy to your lives. I also pray as you read and share them, that you will take a moment during the festivities to give thanks to God, for the wonderful gift He gave us in His Son.
The Christmas King
Humbly, He laid in a manger
the greatest Gift of all.
He was treated like a stranger
yet, He loves us big and small.
He is the Promised One
who has come to set us free.
For, He is God's Son
who died upon Calvary's tree.
The gift goes on . . .
let us love and adore Him.
The birth of this lovely one,
who found no room in the inn.
Go, tell it as the wise men did
over the mountains and the hills,
"Jesus Christ has come to Live.
He is the Hope for this world's ills!"
Written by:
Mildred A. Baker
&
Belle Anne Leslie
Written on:
December 15, 1990
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