In scorn I beheld my fellow man,
his ways so different from mine -
his clothes the wrong color, his books in poor order,
and on fattening foods he did dine.

To my dismay he called himself Christian;
how could he be so blind?
with mental precision, I went through my checklist -
his life came up short every time.

With keen perception, I watched his choices,
and measured them one by one;
though his heart seemed sincere, I couldn’t help notice -
my standard was high above them.

Keeping my distance I lifted my eyes,
and prayed with words of grandeur,
“Lord I humbly thank you that I am not like him;
for my ways are enlightened and pure.”

Inspired by God’s chastening in my life and Jesus’ sobering words in Luke 18:9-14.

Christmas: God’s Mystery Revealed!

The stage was set ere time began,
A perfect script conceived in heaven;
Events unfolding throughout history,
Revealing the clues of God’s great mystery.

A beautiful garden, man’s perfect location,
Forbidden fruit, a serpent’s deception;
Then entered the stage the curse of sin on all flesh,
But then the promise that one day its head would be crushed.

Time swiftly passed; the years rolled away;
A man named Abram was called to the stage;
Blessing bestowed upon him by God’s undeserved mercy,
All the world would be blessed through the seed of his family.

Then Isaac, then Jacob, assumed his role,
And God said, “Now you shall be called, ‘Israel.’”
“Be fruitful and multiply,” He commanded,
So the blessing from generation to generation was handed.

Sibling rivalry ran in the hearts of twelve brothers;
And Joseph was sold as a slave by the others;
Into Egypt he came; to great power he rose,
Sent by God to preserve the people He chose.

Though great were his deeds and many were saved,
There arose a new king who knew not Joseph’s name.
“Let the burdens be heavier, make them serve us!” he cried;
But the people of Israel only multiplied.

Now off in a corner the plot develops;
A bush, seen by Moses, that a fire envelops;
From the midst, a voice, that proclaims, “I AM”;
Then, “My people cry out and redemption is my plan.”

Ten plagues wrought destruction till Egypt was ravaged,
But Israel escapes, the lamb’s blood their passage –
Applied to the sides and the top of the door,
So the Angel of Death passed over, and God brought them forth.

Miracle of miracles the Red Sea was divided,
The way of salvation supernaturally provided;
Now safe and secure, from the mountain was spoken
A covenant of promise that could never be broken.

God’s treasured possession, redeemed at great cost;
To obey would bring blessing, to rebel – great loss;
With heart, soul, and might, their love was His desire,
And to teach to their children the commands He required.

This the point of their failure, for once they were gone,
their children knew not God, nor the works He had done;
Abandoning faith, to false gods they bowed down,
God’s anger provoked, but His patience wore on.

Again the sands of time descended,
New clues emerged, the mystery extended;
A valiant man emerged on the scene,
David – a shepherd, a warrior, a king.

Forever established his throne would be,
The promise declared to David and his seed;
Again words of blessing if Israel would but obey;
Instead the rebellious bride wandered, gave her heart away.

Time after time in compassion God sent
A host of His messengers, but Israel would not repent;
Masterfully scripted, now the part she must play,
But woe to the villain who has entered the stage!

Babylon the Great in pomp and pride,
The bearer of wrath with her arrogant stride;
Fire and sword ruled the day,
Till she emerged triumphant – carried God’s people away.

In the midst of captivity a remnant remained,
Keeping God’s Word, proclaiming His Name;
His promise rang out, “I’ll come dwell in your midst”;
Be faithful, be watchful, and the truth you’ll not miss.

Then the curtain was closed, the stage grew dim,
But the faithful ones still waited for Him;
A promised deliverer would come, they knew,
But the secret was kept until Act Two.

Splitting the silence, word from above!
Not in royal grandeur, but a whisper of love;
Favored one of God, virgin Mary to conceive and bear
Son of the Most High, the promised deliverer.

A shocking revelation, but wait, what’s this?
The throne of David His father will now be His!
A kingdom set up to endure forever,
Over the house of Jacob He – the eternal Ruler.

Unassuming birth, a small town, fulfillment of prophecy,
Short time later brought to the temple was He,
Where Simeon – devout and filled with the Spirit,
Saw Jesus; at once, the mystery – he knew it!

Into the world the answer had come;
God alone in human flesh could make all people one;
Those who were Gentiles at times in the past
Were welcomed into the promise at last.

Though once far off and dead in sin,
The blood of the Lamb brought redemption again;
Applied to men’s hearts by God’s grace alone,
Faith freely given; not by works of our own.

The inheritance now is ours to claim,
Because by adoption we bear Jesus’ Name;
He purchased for us what could never be earned –
A home in heaven, forever preserved.

Not only in this life, but for all eternity
His chosen people, a royal priesthood are we,
Proclaiming His greatness, now we have light –
marvelous, brilliant, gloriously bright!

For ages and generations the clues have been given;
It’s clear that the answer is no longer hidden;
To the world God has fully made known His mystery,
which is Christ in you – the hope of glory!

©2008 Natalie Wickham

Corresponding Scripture passages:
1. Isaiah 46:9-10
2. Genesis 3:14-15 (4004 B.C.)
3. Genesis 12:1-3 (1921 B.C.)
4. Genesis 35:9-12 (1732 B.C.)
5. Genesis 37-45 (1728 B.C.)
6. Exodus 1:8-12 (1635 B.C.)
7. Exodus 3:1-10 (1491 B.C.)
8. Exodus 11-13 (1491 B.C.)
9. Exodus 14, 19:3-6 (1491 B.C.)
10. Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (1491 B.C.)
11. Judges 2:10-12 (1409 B.C.)
12. 2 Samuel 7 (1048 B.C.)
13. Psalm 81:8-12 (1048-606 B.C.)
14. 2 Chronicles 36 (606 B.C.)
15. 2 Chronicles 36 (606 B.C.)
16. Zechariah 2:10-13 (520 B.C.)
17. 400 years between the Old and New Testaments
18. Luke 1:26-30 (1 B.C.)
19. Luke 1:26-30 (1 B.C.)
20. Luke 2
21. Ephesians 2
22. Ephesians 2
23. 1 Peter 1-2
24. 1 Peter 1-2
25. Colossians 1

Content to face the tasks at hand
and not feel overwhelmed,
For God is ordering each day
and holds time in His hand.

Content to dwell in peacefulness
and not give anger place,
For God is watching o’er my tongue
and fills my speech with grace.

Content to take the trials that come
and not complain or murmur,
For God is working through it all
and refines me like pure silver.

Content to act in love to all
and not seek self alone,
For God is changing my old ways
and makes His thoughts my own.

Content to be whom God created
and never to complain,
For God is singing over me
and loves the works He made.

Content to abide in any state
and not wish for another,
For God is acting in His time
and gives great joy and pleasure.

So let me never dare forsake
or fail each day to spend,
the quiet time with God alone
that leaves my soul content.

Whirling, swirling,
       snow is descending;
Crackling, burning,
       fire is going;
Wafting, caroling,
       voice is singing;
Telling, whispering,
       winter is coming.

Blooming, growing,
       bud is opening;
Smelling, inhaling,
       air is refreshing;
Changing, renewing,
       land is greening;
Telling, whispering,
       spring is coming.

Laughing, enjoying,
       child is playing;
Basking, glowing,
       world is warming;
Walking, strolling,
       pace is slowing;
Telling, whispering,
       summer is coming.

Trusting, obeying,
       joy is abiding;
Knowing, watching,
       God is guiding;
Working, investing,
       day is ending;
Telling, whispering,
       eternity is coming.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than government and politics;
I dare not trust the enemy,
But always vote for GOP.

Refrain:
On government this nation stands;
So we must vote Republican,
So we must vote Republican.

When media bias veils the race,
Republicans must make their case;
Regardless of the candidate,
We must vote for the elephant.

The constitution, hey what’s that?
What he believes, it matters not.
When things look bleak do not dismay;
Republicans will save the day!

And when Election Day comes ‘round,
Oh, may I at the polls be found;
To vote against my righteous stance,
‘Cause he’s the one who’s got a chance.

Gifts under trees.
Food in the oven.
Laughter and mirth.
Good friends all around.

Music in ears.
True hope is given.
Baby is born.
A glorious sound.

God is now near.
Mystery from heaven.
Light to dark earth.
Wise words that astound.

Insight appears.
Joy in small children.
Gift of great worth.
When Jesus is found.

I was lonely and forlorn
’till captured by your love;
Now filled with light of brightest morn
my eyes see only you
and yet you are enough.

‘Tis all around a counterfeit
that promises to be
my hope, my joy, my pleasure – yet
that and more I’ve found in you
and shall through all eternity.

For thou who doest all things well
and givest gifts so good
hast condescended now to dwell
within my heart so that I am called
a blessed child of God.

Memories, memories
flitting through my mind,
racing, reminding, compelling
transporting me to other times.

So much to remember,
so much to recall,
the images grow fainter
’til I can hardly see them at all.

But oh the joy to sit with friends
and jointly to reflect
on times gone by and memories made
so that I shall not forget.

Pen and paper have their place
but cannot fully capture
the heart, the soul, the essence
of these memories that I treasure.

inspired by an evening spent with friends sitting around the campfire reminiscing

for all the blessings
he bestows
Far more than I could ever say.

for bright sunshine
and cloudless skies
For all creation that ceases not of God in heaven to proclaim.

for parents dear
who by word and deed
Impart to me God’s eternal way.

for sisters sweet
and a brother besides
Who with me grow and talk and laugh and play.

for friendships formed
for hearts drawn closer
Whether near or far away.

for students that I’m blessed to teach
who encourage and inspire
The things I’ve learned from each of them is worth more than I could ever pay.

for music that delights
and songs that stir the soul
For the privilege of offering God this praise.

for his abiding word
and the sweetness of his presence
For the promise that for all of time God will never change.

for the past where God has led
and the future that he’s planned
So that I can walk not in my strength but only by his grace.

for these I’m thankful
and so much more
May my heart be one of gratitude – this is what I pray.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!