A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas

 Wishing you a Blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Today begins

A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas

Photo credit: pixabay

THE WINGED ONES

 

There’s a sudden swirl

of fragrance and smoke

as Zacharias tends

the temple altar of incense

Lo! A resplendent angel

appears before his eyes—

 

It is Gabriel

who stands in the presence of God

 

The winged one startles the old priest

by proclaiming—

 

Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear a son…

He will be the forerunner of Messiah

 

Astonished at the announcement

(for his wife is advanced in years)

Zacharias dares question

God’s messenger

and is duly struck dumb—

 

and will not utter another word

until the Heavenly proclamation

comes to pass

 

As grey-haired Elizabeth blossoms

with approaching motherhood

Gabriel alights again

all wings and gleam and glory

in a visit to Mary, a Nazarene maiden

He foretells that she, too, will be with child—

chosen to be the virgin mother

of the Holy Son of God—

 

Breathless, Mary runs

to Joseph, her betrothed

eager to tell of the angelic visitation

and Gabriel’s marvelous word to her

 

but it is too much for him to comprehend—

Feeling deceived and disheartened

he considers ending their engagement

 

until one night, while tossing in sleep

an angel of the Lord appears in a dream

to assure him

Mary is indeed pure and righteous—

miraculously overshadowed

by the Holy Spirit of God

 

so Joseph marries her

and together they await the coming

of the Savior of the World

 

and when that wondrous event occurs

a multitude of angels fill the Heavenlies

with most glorious splendors

The Bethlehem night becomes brilliant

startling lowly shepherds

reclining in fields with their flocks

 

and all the beautiful celestial beings

with wings and robes and gladness

proclaim good news of great joy

for all people:

 

Glory to God in the Highest—

Jesus, the Messiah, is born!

 Maude Carolan Pych

For information about ordering Maude's books

go to: www.maudecarolanpych.net

"Simeon & Anna"

Christmas Day--2019

A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas

Hallelujah!

Image credit: pinterest.com

SIMEON & ANNA

Simeon wondered

if he were seeing things

He rubbed his tired old eyes

squinted and peered again

at the little family

that came through the Temple doors

The Sanctuary

was shadowy and dim

Flames from the oil lamps

were flickering—

Were his eyes playing tricks?

Wasn’t this an ordinary family?

…a couple like any

ordinary Jewish couple

here to present their firstborn son

holy to the Lord?

Nothing special about them

Just poor folk

with two lowly turtledoves

for the sacrifice…yet?

Perhaps this was wishful thinking

Perhaps, his imagination

He needed to be sure

Simeon moved a bit closer

Oh, he’d been waiting so patiently

for the fulfillment of the promise

of the Lord to comfort Israel

He knew He would—

for the Holy Spirit

assured him

he absolutely would not die

until he beheld the Messiah

…but that was long ago

Suddenly an unmistakable quickening

began rising up in his spirit…Yes!

…O Glory! Glory!

He bounded

toward Mary and Joseph

with arms outstretched

and swooped up

their swaddled infant son

uttering prophetic proclamations

jubilant and terrifying

I behold God’s salvation!

A light to the Gentiles

The glory of God’s people Israel

and directly to Mary, he prophesied:

…a sword will pierce your soul

She shuddered…

for she knew God had a plan, but…

What could this mean?

Then the widow Anna approached

Bent and grey and pious

she was a prophetess

who dwelled in the Temple

most of her life, praying

fasting and serving the Lord

with a joyful heart

Spontaneous praise

sprang from her lips

as she beheld the babe

Then Anna proclaimed

to all who would listen:

Come and see…

This is our newborn redeemer!

…from that day forward

Jesus grew

in wisdom and grace

the Cross before Him…

…and a sword did pierce

Mary’s soul

Maude Carolan Pych

"'Twas the Night of All Nights!"

Day #24

A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas

It's Christmas Eve,

and today I have a very special

rhyming poem to read to your children...

‘TWAS THE NIGHT…OF ALL NIGHTS!

Children gather round. It’s time for a story,

one that’s filled with hallelujahs and glory.

It’s about the glorious night of all nights,

angels and magi and sight of all sights!

About God, a virgin, the birth of a king,

wooly sheep, poor shepherds, and gift giving!

My story takes place long ago, far away

and starts with a Babe in a crib full of hay;

His mother’s a virgin, His father is God,

the birth, a miraculous Heavenly nod.

The Baby is born in a Bethlehem barn

near a few smelly animals, like on a farm.

Poor shepherds in a field shudder with fright

when suddenly the dark sky fills up with light

as beautiful angels, bright splendors winging

tell of the birth with hallelujahs and singing!

So, the shepherds and sheep the very next morn

set off to visit this special Newborn.

Rich wisemen follow a bright beaming star

to the Bethlehem barn; the journey is far.

They ride astride camels, carrying treasures

to give to the One they’ll worship forever.

Why in the world would they do such strange things?

Why travel so far? Why great treasures bring?

The reason is simple, the Babe in the hay

becomes the world’s Savior, Who takes sin away.

His name is Jesus and He loves you and me

and wants us to love Him for eternity.

That was the night of all nights here on Earth…

the wonderful story of Jesus’ birth!

Maude Carolan Pych

"The Shepherds"

Day #23

A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas

Rick Sabato's painting, "Lambs."

THE SHEPHERDS

Shepherds recline around the fire

Their long day’s work is done

The air is crisp, the sky is clear

they watch the setting sun

The sheep that grazed the fields by day

now safely sleep nearby

Men each take night-watch turns

to watch for wolves and foxes, sly

They eat some fish, some barley bread

drink water from the well

draw woolen blankets ‘round them, snug

they laugh and stories tell

Suddenly the calm is stirred

by singing in the sky

The shepherds lift their drowsy heads

What’s happening and why?

They can’t believe their ears and eyes

for what they hear and see…

a throng of shining faces, wings

snow white and fluttery!

The rugged shepherds tremble

The angels chant, “Do not fear…

We bring you tidings of great joy

all people need to hear

For unto you is born this day

in little Bethlehem—

swaddled in a manger, Christ

the Savior of all men!

Glory to God in the highest!”

sweet angel voices sing

“Peace on earth, goodwill to men”

They proclaim the newborn King!

As the angels take their leave

the men vow in the morn

they’ll go to Bethlehem and seek

the Christ, the newly born

So with the rising of the sun

each with his staff and rod

the shepherds with their sheep set off…

Their quest, the Lamb of God

Arriving at the humble place

the angels sang about

they enter with resounding praise

and hallelujah shouts!

As the shepherds kneel, adoring

a spotless wooly lamb

approaches the lowly manger

and gently nuzzles the I Am

Maude Carolan Pych

"Grafted In"

Day #21

A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas

Happy Hanukkah!   Merry Christmas!

GRAFTED IN

(Formerly "Rooted")

I love to see a Star of David on a Christmas tree,

reminder of my Jewish roots in Christianity.

Happy there is a Hanukiah on a churchyard lawn

adjacent to a manger, dimly flickering at dawn.

I give praise to the Paschal Lamb, crucified at Calvary

Who rose victorious from death to set all sinners free!

I hear the Rosh Hashanah trump forewarning with its cry,

reminding me the Day of God is surely drawing nigh;

then marvel every Yom Kippur at graciousness of God,

lavish with his mercy; He spares the chastening rod.

I read Old Testament prophecy’s fulfillment in the New,

with the Messiah’s story interwoven through and through.

In Shabbat tapers I behold Yeshua, Light of World—

Before my eyes, clearly see, God’s glorious plan unfurled!

I’ve been blessed to pray at Israel’s Wall and empty Tomb

of my Savior, Yeshua, born of Virgin Mary’s womb.

At Gethsemane, I’ve beheld an ancient olive tree

and known within my spirit that one grafted branch is me.

I’m born again and spiritually circumcised of heart;

I’m blessed to be a Gentile, who has become a part

of all the covenant promises sealed by the Blood of God—

I’ll always praise His Holy Name as I walk this earthly sod.

Maude Carolan

Poetry Tonight

(Saturday, December 21st)

I'll be reading holiday poetry with a few friends,

7pm, at The Ant Bookstore & Cafe

345 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ.

There'll also be music & light refreshments.

Admission is free.

.

"Oh! To Kiss the Face of God"

Day #20

A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas

A new poem for Christmas, 2019...

Image credit: stacyrobert.com

OH! TO KISS THE FACE OF GOD

The first time

I heard, “Mary, Did You Know?”

is permanently etched in my mind

I was folding clothes in the bedroom

listening to “Let It Grow”

Pastor Charlie Rizzo’s

Christian call-in radio program

At a break, he introduced a Christmas song

by Mark Lowry, written by Lowry in 1984

Immediately, the music and lyrics

drew me in and I visualized

the young virgin-mother, Mary

cradling baby Jesus

as Lowry sang of wonders

her boy would grow to perform

wonders, like walking on water

and saving us, and even

…this child that you delivered

will soon deliver you

Oh! I broke out in goosebumps—

Mary did you know

that your baby boy will

give sight to a blind man

…calm a storm with his hand

and when Lowry sang

…And when you kiss your little baby

you’ve kissed the face of God

that did it—

Tears welled in my eyes

and trickled down my cheeks

Mary kissed the baby face of God!

Then he went on singing, Mary did you know…

that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you’re holding

is the great I Am

Oh! What an awesome privilege

to be the mother of the Savior

It was a few weeks before Christmas

Pastor Rizzo aired the song

a few more times

Each time, tears flowed

Soon music stations began playing the song

Sometimes it was performed

by other recording artists

The business manager where I worked

knew the song was meaningful to me

One day he surprised me with a gift—

the song on CD by Kenny Rogers

Then my daughter-in-law-to-be, Omayra,

aware of how much I loved it

arranged to have it sung

at their wedding

That was special, indeed!

Never has a song

touched me as that one

has touched me—

Never before have there been lyrics

I wished I’d penned myself

It thoroughly blesses my heart

to imagine the virgin

holding her swaddled son in her arms

oblivious to what their future would hold

putting tender lips to his tiny cheek, and

kissing…softly kissing

the holy face of God!

Maude Carolan Pych

Tomorrow at The Ant Bookstore & Cafe...

I'll be reading poetry with my friends!

Join us Saturday, December 21 at 7 p.m.

345 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ

for poetry, music & cookies!

Admission is free.

Available now:

For more information: maudecarolanpych.com

amazon.com

barnesandnoble.com

"Another Silent Night"

Day #19

A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas

ANOTHER SILENT NIGHT

My friend Holly (who has a special

affinity with all things Christmas)

once gave me a picture

of Mary at the crib of Jesus—

She said the image of Mary

reminded her of one of my daughters

I framed the picture

and hung it on the wall

not because of any resemblance

to my daughter, but

because I was moved

by the striking look of anguish

upon Mary’s lovely face

This had to have been the day

Mary and Joseph went to the temple

to dedicate Jesus, the day

they offered two turtledoves

as a sacrifice for their firstborn son

Simeon was present when they came in

and knew immediately

by the power of the Holy Spirit

that this Child was

God’s promised Savior

He told Mary—

A sword will pierce your soul!

This silent night in Bethlehem

as Jesus lay sleeping

Mary lifts his tiny hand

to her trembling lips

She wonders about God’s marvelous plan

wonders how a Savior saves

and as she wonders, she feels

the point of an unseen sword

pressing against her flesh—

What did that wise old man mean?

There’s so much I do not know—

So much I do not want to know

tonight

Maude Carolan Pych

I'll be reading this poem and others, with friends

at The Ant Bookstore & Cafe

345 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ

Saturday, 7 p.m.

Sr. Jane Abeln, Rev. EJ Emerson
Maude Carolan Pych, Barbara Williams-Hubbard

There'll be poetry, music & Christmas cookies!

Come, join us. It's free!

There'll also be copies available of my new book:

Behold the Lamb...poetically!

It's also available at amazon.com

barnesandnoble.com

For more information, go to

maudecarolanpych.com

Blessed be the Lamb of God!

Day #5

A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas

Image credit: clipartmag.com

WHAT'S THIS I SEE?

What's this I see in a feeding trough?

A lamb asleep in a bed of straw

without any blemish to behold…

the Lamb deserves a crown of gold

What's this upon crossbeams, I see?

A lamb impaled…sacrificially!

I fall to my knees before His Grace—

the Lamb looks down. I see God's face

From lintels stained with blood of lambs

to the Cross that saves from being damned—

the whole Word holds a mystery…deep!

Blood of the Lamb has saved His sheep

All glory to our Paschal Lamb

Messiah, Son of the great I AM

Who from that humble bed of straw

became our Savior…We bow in awe!

Maude Carolan

Are you looking for

an inspirational Christmas gift

for a special someone?

To order copies of my new book

"Behold the Lamb...poetically!"

go to amazon.com

or maudecarolanpych.com

A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas...

A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas

Photo credit: says.com

CHRISTMAS AT THE MALL

Day after Thanksgiving, at the mall, what is this I see…

Santas sledding in the air and a tinseled Christmas tree,

a roly-poly Frosty, red-nosed Rudolph with some elves,

glittery garlands, balls, and bows, bedazzling on the shelves?

The shops are alive with music, “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bells;”

there are “ho, ho, hos,” “let it snows” and cinnamony smells.

It certainly all seems festive, so cheery and so bright,

but what oh what does it have to do with that Holy night?

I cannot find a manger scene, an angel or a star,

I do not see the wisemen…wonder where the shepherds are.

I do not hear a carol or the story of the birth

of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, Who dwelled right here on Earth.

Some, it seems, have cast aside the things that matter most—

By substituting fairy-tales, the Treasure can get lost.

My heart fills up with sorrow and causes me to prod

the fading faith of dear ones, who used to walk with God.

Lord, help us all remember the virgin and the Child…

Revive in us once strong faith that’s been waning a while.

Maude Carolan Pych

We've Been Invited Back

to read poetry at The Ant,

345 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ

Saturday, December 15, 7 p.m.

Come join us for a festive evening

of poetry, music & Christmas cookies, too!

Free admission

Sr. Jane Abeln, SMIC, Pastor EJ Emerson
Maude Carolan Pych, Barbara Williams-Hubbard