Promises for the Battle
Christmas
Christmas Sonnet 2025—Surprised by Jesus
As the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. … The tribes of the earth will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. … As for that day and hour, no … Continue reading
Advent 2023 #3—Impossible Joy
Thus says Yahweh Sabaoth, “If it is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be too difficult in my sight? Behold, I am going to save my people … and they shall be my people, and I will be their deity in faithfulness and righteousness.” … Continue reading
Advent 2023 #2—Loving His Appearing
For persevering in faith, the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me the crown of righteousness—and not to me only, but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7–8 The first time Jesus appeared, only two people in the world were eager for him to arrive and were ready to love … Continue reading
Advent 2023 #1—Soon May Your Kingdom Come
One of the traditions observed by writers of what we call “Christmas Carols” is combining a celebration of Christ’s first advent with joyful anticipation of his second advent; “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” is a good example of this. Another tradition is connecting Israel’s anticipation of its anointed king and savior with Christ’s arrival; … Continue reading
Christmas 2022—Advent Trumpets
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. … “Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord.” Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God. Luke 2:9 The Lord himself will come down from heaven with … Continue reading
Advent 2022 #3—Fear Not!
The glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them: “Fear not! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is … Continue reading
Advent 2022 #2—Christmas Wildness
This Christmas sonnet/prayer comes from thinking about what Paul writes to the Christians at Ephesus. It also arises from an objection to the typical rhyming pattern found in Christmas carols: child – mild, as in “meek & mild;” meek, yes; but mild? I never perceive Jesus as “mild;” rather he always seems untamed to me, … Continue reading
Advent 2022—#1
Believe this: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am the foremost. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate his perfect longsuffering as an example for those committed to believe in him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15–16 At … Continue reading
The Present of Advent
Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28 We celebrate in order to bring the joy of the past into the present. We anticipate in order to bring the joy … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Christmas Time!
Way back in 1965 I sang with four of my friends in the Oak Park and River Forest High School’s “Senior Follies.” One of the songs we performed was Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” But, as it turns out, Alphonse Karr was correct, “plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose” (the more … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 