Monday, December 10, 2018

"Christmas Always" book by Carl Schuler (Amazon books)

 
Christmas Angel!

 

 

Angel-envoy proclaim to shepherd peaceful night

Huddled close in honor of eternal spiritual sight

 

Come Savior-man as midnight-star journey ceased

Christ Jesus virgin-born in yonder holy stable East

 

Winged-messenger heaven-sent trumpeted the Way

To Mary-Joseph lodge where sacred precious baby lay

 

Innkeeper kindly provide poor family shelter sleep

Unknowingly allowed Babe to rustic manger keep

 

Sentinel-guard stood watch ’til hinted morning dawn

As Cherubim and Seraphim harmonized celestial song

 

God’s Son came so man may live forever and a day

Simply emulate Jesus necessary to every evil slay

 

Jesus’ own protector to aid him on the journey far

Just follow God like angel did bring Christmas star

 

So special-blessed the winged-one given to announce His birth

Great day! Indeed! Truly challenge perfect holy humble worth

 

Angel-guardian pray, too, that he will someday be---

Assigned some holy task that is not guarding…”me”!

 

And, when time comes to make a sacred spiritual choice

Pure heart prevail Truth speak with non-pernicious voice

 

Within each gift-event enjoy adventure daily foray

Refuse be serious in awesome childlike fun and play

 

Sands of time seem slow through narrow neck of glass

Surely flow to distant shore white-crest time does pass

 

Expectant wide-eyed innocent wonder seeking just to find

Each sunshine-rise promise “Christmas”-again sublime

Amen!

 

Merry Christmas!

 

And---

 

  What, Then? Have I?

 

If all I have left tomorrow, is what I thanked God for today?

Justice served? Not in Jesus’ forgiveness-mercy double play

 

     Reflection: Baseball IS God’s game! He invented perfection, then chose to allow lowly man to play. And, through free will interspersed with a sinful nature, we have perverted that perfect purity which, in reality, belongs only to the Creator; yet, the game lives on while teaching valuable life lessons to each new generation. There are no great players, only the immense God-given talents of instinctual reactions for so very few. Many practice hard and surely, some progress; too many believe the lies of those who know neither the ecstasy of this most sacred challenge nor the values of a Christian life; not for their own salvation nor for that of their progeny. Coaches glean vicarious machinations of glory through untalented nepotism.

     So true! Too, sad!

     The analogy of “Jesus-forgiveness-mercy” double play refers to the Chicago Cubs infield team perfection of that devastating execution. Joe Tinkers, Johnny Evers and Frank Chance helped lead the Cubbies to four National League pennants in 1906, 1907, 1908 and 1910 winning the World Series in ’07 and ’08---World Champions of the greatest game ever invented!

     New York columnist Franklin Pierce Adams wrote in 1910, this catchy little ditty:

 

Baseball’s Sad Lexicon

 

These are the saddest of possible words:

“Tinker to Evers to Chance.”

Trio of bear-Cubs and fleeter than birds,

“Tinker to Evers to Chance.”

Ruthlessly pricking our gonfalon bubble—

Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:

“Tinker to Evans to Chance.”

 

     (Note: Gonfalon refers to the staff, pennant and the tone expresses the writer’s dismay over the Cubs continued triumphs against his hapless New York Giants of the day.)

     And, to us, in taking for granted our myriad blessings and not thanking our Lord daily, He pardons our transgression with “Jesus to Forgiveness to Mercy”.

     Prayer: Dear Lord! Thank you for the many blessing bestowed on a wanton sinner. Repentant in earnest I be, yet repetitive by a sinful nature, You see. Forgive me, once more. Amen!

     Conclusion: I thank God for life and Grace, for Faith! Family! Freedom! And, baseball!

Amen!

 

 And...

 

Snowflake Immaculate

 

 

 

Windswept drift

Scripture gift                                  Jesus renew

                                                       Paradise you                            Holiday candles

                                                                                                       Simple sandals

Word reveal

Heaven ideal                                  Eternal King

                                                       Angels sing                             Snowflake unique

                                                                                                       Human mystique

Rustic stable

Communion table                           Sleigh ride sought

                                                       Redemption bought                Chrystal frozen

                                                                                                       Freely chosen

Starlight leading

Innocent pleading                          Deity belief                            

                                                       Miracle relief                           Wise men come

                                                                                                       God’s own Son

Born of Virgin

Spiritual immersion                        Spirit Grace

                                                       Forgiveness Place                    Live in Love

                                                                                                       Power above

Midnight beckoning

Honor reckoning                            Humble manger

                                                       Knows no stranger                  Eternal pray

                                                                                                       Christmas Day

 

 

Father, Son and Holy Ghost

Praise and honor Heavenly Host

 

 

Merry Christmas!


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