She Was Five...

"Giggles" courtesy of Flickr artist Walt Stoneburner.

She was five and sure of the facts, and recited them with slow solemnity, convinced that every word was revelation.
She said, “they were so poor, they only had one peanut butter and jelly sandwich to eat, and they went a long way from home, without getting lost.  The lady rode on a donkey and the man walked, and the baby was inside the lady. They had to stay in a stable with an ox and an ass (hee-hee), but the three Rich Men found them because a star lifted the roof. Shepherds came and you could pet the sheep but not feed them. Then the baby was borned. And do you know who it was?”
With that her quarter eyes inflated to silver dollars. She said, “The baby was God.” And then she jumped into the air, whirled around, dove into the sofa, and buried her head under the cushion, which is the only proper response to the Good News of the Incarnation.

-- John Shea

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Blessed are they who see Christmas through the eyes of a child.

Remain faithful,
Dave

No Room

Image "Knocking on Heaven's Door" courtesy of Flickr artist Vincent van der Pas

"No room," said the innkeeper,
And the Child was born in a stable.

Today that same Child stands at the door and knocks.
Will you, too, say "No room?"

-- David Jabs

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This is, I think, my only original contribution to The Quote File and one of only two surviving poems that I have written.

When Jesus comes, he is the quintessential courteous Gentleman: he stands at the door and knocks.  He suffers the doorknob to be on the inside, with you, where you have the control to let Him in or keep Him out.

This is very different from the behavior of that seasonal charlatan that enters by stealth and without invitation and makes his way through sootier portals.

Merry Christmas!
Dave

edit:  This is actually my second original contribution.  I also wrote "Chartreuse Pillowcase" back during the wandering, caregiving years. 

The Weaver

My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me,

I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride
forget He sees the upper but I the under side. 

Image "Loom - iPhone 4" courtesy of Flickr artist Jeffrey Turner

           Not till the loom is silent and 
the shuttles cease to fly,
shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needed in the 
Weaver's skillful hand,
as threads of gold and silver in 
the pattern life has planned.

Image "In the details..." courtesy of Flickr artist Barb Howe

Benjamin Malachi Franklin (1882-1965)

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Lord, today I choose to remember to thank you for both the threads of gold and silver, 

as well as the threads of black and gray.  And I purpose not to whine.

Remain faithful,

Dave

What News Is This?

What is this news that we've heard from afar?
News from the wisemen following a star.
A babe is born, no a king they say,
Lying in  a manger, cradled in hay.
Tell us what shall we do with this newborn child?
Lying in the manger so sweet and mild?
Hold Him close to your heart, yes hold Him tight,
Remember and ponder what you've heard this night.

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Images The Nativity and Mary at the Foot of the Cross courtesy of Flickr artist Sharon Mollerus

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What is this news in the streets they cry?
Crucify him, crucify him, but tell us why?
What has he done, why must he die?
We've watched him grow and become a man,
Can his death be part of this mysterious plan?
Tell us what shall we do with this dying one?
Believe that they baby, this man is God's son.
Fall at the foot of that forsaken tree,
Give Him your heart there at calvary.

What is this news they try to conceal?
He's accomplished the purpose He came to reveal.
The mysterious plan is now open to all,
Open your heart and answer His call.

-- C. Ramirez

OUT THERE

Out there

you'll see it all.

The floating ends

will meet and mend,

and you will be yourself;

your fully formed,

though always changing,

self of selves.

Every clumsy backward look

will pay for itself.

---

Image "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" courtesy of Flickr artist Gisela Giardino

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Every tear you've cried,

or wanted to cry,

will set your broken bones.

The rips in your heart

will no longer need to be guarded

by steel girders,

banyan tees,

or even rice paper.

Not so much as a

dragonfly's wing

will you need

to cover the bludgeoned place,

to protect the private you

you love so much

and hope to save intact

from what has seemed years

of relentless pummeling.

Go and live and love

in peace, my friend,

for surely there is love

to enfold you,

and life to be feasted upon:

your portion is boundless.

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Image "Happy Socks" courtesy Flickr artist KeWynn Lee

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Love will be the more

you've wanted.

You will know it

when you see it.

You will love yourself

as no lover

has ever had the courage

to love;

and the warmth you've wanted

will line your pillowcases,

dance upon your windowsill,

and hide

at the ends of your socks

awaiting your toes.

-- Deborah Mears

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Jesus said, "I have come that ye might have life and have it more abundantly."  (John 10:10)  But what about when it hasn't worked out quite that way?  One of the fortunate side effects of the death of my bride is that I have discovered that I am powerless over my addictions and that my life had become unmanageable.  It is the latest step in my on-going process of dying to self and living to Christ.  It has helped me to see how I contributed to my bride's unhappiness and that fixing her was not and could not be the answer to my happiness.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)  We know and trust this to be true, even when God reveals things to us that are unexpected and calls us in directions we had not anticipated.

Remain faithful,
Dave

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A Friend of God

by C elkins

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I’ve no desire for world renown,
To wear a princely golden crown,
I won’t be tempted with position
Gold and silver in addition
I’m satisfied to be a clod,
If I may be a friend of God.

I'm not ashamed of earthy mode
Sufficient if humble abode,
I’ve no desire to be around,
Glittering jewels and pretty gowns,
To worldly fashion, not a nod,
That I may be a friend of God.

---

Photo "Smiles" courtesy of Flickr artist Jerry Reynolds

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I will not strive for adulation
Nor for world’s congratulation
I do not care for fickle fame,
Brilliant lights to spell out my name,
Though I'm just one pea in a pod,
Still I would be a friend of God.

A friend of God, A friend of God
I want to be a friend of God.
I want to live the Living Word
To point men to the Living Lord.
A friend of God, A friend of God
Always I'd be a friend of God.

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Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.- John 15:15

Amazing Love! that the God of the universe wants to be my friend, and yours.

Remain faithful,
Dave