Loving One Another

Archive for the ‘Christmas’ Category

Paying Attention


For those of you who are new to following JanBeek,
let me explain.
I take sermon notes in poetry when I listen
to the Pastor’s message each Sunday.
Here are my notes from today’s sermon.
It was preached by a guest in the pulpit,
Retired Presbyterian minister (and friend of mine),
Rev. Steve Hundley. What a gift!!

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Paying Attention
(a reflection on the Scripture in Luke 2:21-40)

When we remember our history
And travel thoughtfully through it,
We take a journey of understanding
To truly comprehend life as Jesus knew it.

We can’t take a plane through Christmas
And miss the trip along the way.
We need to slowly walk before and after
And bring Jesus into our life today.

Mary and Joseph probably had a hard time
Understanding the meaning of Jesus’ birth.
There they were in Bethlehem
Wondering what this baby really was worth.

Simeon told them Jesus was “The Light.”
His power would bring glory to the Israeli people.
That must have puzzled those in the temple.
God’s spirit came upon those under the temple steeple.

Have we, like Simeon, seen God’s salvation?
Do we know the Redeemer has come?
Jesus came to honor roots and bring wings.
He came for eternal life for all – not just some.

God is with us every day of our life.
We can’t fly in and out of the Christmas season.
We need to come, meet, greet, and stay.
For Christmas is every day – for good reason!

Amen?

P.S.
Sometimes we have to take the LONG ROAD
in order to make it Home.

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, Christmas, Faith, God, Jesus, Love

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Love, Grace, Mercy


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Love, Grace, and Mercy

Gifts given through Jesus Christ

Presents for each day

Category:

Bible Lessons, Christmas, Faith, Haiku, Jesus, Love, Promises, Spiritual Gifts

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Mother-in-Love


Do you have a Mother-in-Love?

That’s the term my daughter uses to describe
her mother-in-law.

I like that reference, don’t you?

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Here I am with my son’s Mother-in-Love
and my granddaughter, Hope.

Time with family
while we celebrate Christ’s birth
is what this season is all about!

My great-grandson is experiencing his first Christmas
with his maternal grandparents.
Ah, the wonder of it all!!

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We had fun visiting the area today where
gold was discovered in California.

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Who did you spend this time after Christmas Day with?
Did you travel somewhere?

Category:

Christmas, Family, friendship, holidays, Love, Travel

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Looking for Jesus


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If you look for Me at Christmas

You won’t need a special star-

I’m no longer just in Bethlehem,

I’m right there where you are.

You may not be aware of Me

Amid the celebrations-

You’ll have to look beyond the stores

And all the decorations.

But if you take a moment

From your list of things to do

And listen to your heart, you’ll find

I’m waiting there for you.

You’re the one I want to be with,

You’re the reason that I came,

And you’ll find Me in the stillness

As I’m whispering your name.

Love, Jesus

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Merry Christmas, dear Blogging Friends.
May your day be filled with
love, hugs, and opportunities
to reflect on the real Reason for the Season.

Category:

blessings, Christmas, Faith, holidays, Jesus, Love

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Let Him Out!


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Let Him Out!

There are days
And then there are
Advent Days.

Days of Waiting –
Days of Unknowing –
Days of Sorrow.

Your life feels
Oppressive.
Hope eludes you.

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This Christmas Eve
Let’s recall
Mary’s waiting.

Let’s remember
Mary’s sweet song –
Her ready acceptance.

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Thousands of years
Later, we need
Her true faith.

Wouldn’t it be
Super great if
All news was good?

Wouldn’t we love
All suffering
To instantly cease?

What joy if
All war and hunger
Were eliminated now!

We’d like God
To bring us
The Promised Peace.

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But, His Way
Is not our way.
His definitions differ.

We look at basics
With greedy eyes.
We look for Plenty.

God defines PLENTY
In heart-felt ways.
He needs “Let Out!”

So, open your heart.
Invite God out
Through your heart.

See your PLENTY
Through God’s eyes.
Focus on others.

Like Mary, sing of
God’s grace, and
Birth His Light.

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God bless you!
Merry Christmas Eve.
Follow that star!!

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Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, Christmas, Faith, God, happiness, Heartache, holidays, Jesus, Living in Christ's Family, Love, music, peace, prayer

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Have You Learned?


Yesterday my grandson and I attended the delightful Christmas program
performed by pre-school through fifth graders at our local elementary school.
What a kick! They are so deeeelightful!

Here is my Musical Quad-Haiku and a mini-concert for you:

Have you learned to play
A musical instrument?
Learn bells with colors.

 

Have you learned to play
A musical instrument?
Sometimes it’s lovely.

 

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Have you learned to play
A musical instrument?
Sometimes it’s painful!

 

Have you learned to play
A musical instrument?
God bless our teachers!

 

Tell me about your experience learning an instrument. Was it painful at first? My mom used to make me go out to the tin shed across the driveway to practice my clarinet when I first started. The squawking was more than she could bear! Eventually I was first chair in my high school band and orchestra and then at the University of the Pacific, as well. Takes a lot of practice and years of painful squeaks. Do you relate?

Category:

Christmas, God, Gratitude, Haiku, holidays, learning, Living in Harmony, music

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The Cost of Christmas


Sermon notes – Dec. 16, 2017 – Rev. Jean Johnson – Madison Valley Presbyterian, Ennis, MT

Recorded by Jan Beekman – in poetry (as is my habit) – while listening intently today.

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The Cost of Christmas

Ebenezer Scrooge was transformed.
He hated Christmas and all
That talk of love and peace.
His dream helped him hear God’s call.

He bought a goose and invited
All to come to his feast.
He had love and joy to spread
To rich and poor, the most and the least.

It cost Scrooge a fortune
To pay for all that food.
What does Christmas cost you?
Does the cost put you in a Scrooge mood?

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John the Baptist warned us that
Christmas will cost a lot.
But it’s not the money he referred to;
It’s the deliverance we may not have sought.

Purifying fire and judgement wait
For those who fail to believe.
The fire is a punishment for those
Who are stingy and cause others to grieve.

If you have two shirts or coats,
Be ready to give one away.
If someone owes you money,
Don’t overcharge them any day.

Jesus taught people to love and forgive.
“Get ready for the Christ Child.
Give from your surplus,” John preached.
He didn’t ask us to do anything wild.

Jesus’ message was a tough one
For many who held hate in their heart.
John asked folks to prepare for Christ
By repenting, turning, making a clean start.

Be on the true path, headed right
As you prepare for Jesus Christ’s birth.
You’re on the right road in church today.
Let’s be God’s witnesses on earth.

Are you?
Am I?
Let your life preach His message,
And as Mother Theresa is quoted as saying,
“Only use words when you have to!”

(Isn’t that a heck of a message for a blogger?)

 

Category:

Bible Lessons, Christmas, Giving, Jesus, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Serving One Another

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