Candy canes and mistletoe,
Twelve tin soldiers in a row.
Christmas tree with gifts beneath,
And on the door a Christmas wreath.
Stockings hanging by the fire,
Christmas carols sung by a choir.
Colourful lights and candles glow,
And outside I see falling snow.
Cookies baking, um smells good,
Should I taste one? Yes I should!
Bows and bells hang by the door,
And on the tree I see some more.
Chocolate, chocolate everywhere,
We have a lot so we can share.
Christmas cards hang on the wall,
Beside a snowman standing tall.
There’s Santa Claus with boots that shine,
In his red suit he looks so fine.
The reindeer stand as if they wait,
To hear “lets go, it’s getting late!"
Oh Christmas tree, what beautiful sight,
With a star on the top that's shining bright.
Angels so pretty all in white,
They light up the room on Christmas night.
Beside an angel is where Jesus lay,
With shepherds and wise men kneeling to pray.
Mary and Joseph admire their boy;
They look like their hearts are filled with joy.
Yes Christmas is special for many reasons;
Excitement fills us throughout the whole season.
It’s fun to get presents and share with friends;
It’s great to have fun that never ends.
It’s wonderful having cookies so sweet,
And chocolate and nuts are so good to eat.
But in our home on this holiday season,
We celebrate Jesus for He is the reason.
He came to earth, a baby yet king,
To save the world so forever we’ll sing.
We’ll praise our Jesus for saving our soul;
We’ll praise our Jesus for making us whole.
We’ll say “Happy Birthday” to Jesus our King,
Our hearts full of love is the gift we will bring.
Santa is fun and presents are great,
But Jesus is the reason we celebrate.

The holidays are here again,
It's time to celebrate.
The birth of Jesus Christ our Lord,
The Chosen One so great.

We gather with the ones we love,
It's such a special time.
We open gifts and eat good food,
Our faces really shine.

The children squeal and laugh and play,
Their smiles tell it all.
I think we're all a bit like kids,
Excitement fills us all.

We gather for the Christmas meal,
We bow our heads and pray.
We eat our food while listening,
To what our loved ones say.

The kids are starting to slow down,
One climbs up on my knee.
We all refect upon our day,
While sipping lemon tea.

The house is quiet, all except,
Christmas carols playing.
"Joy to the world the Lord is come,"
Is what it was saying.

Tears fill my eyes; I'm so ashamed,
How could I go all day?
Without one thought of my dear Lord,
On this His special day!

I close my eyes and talk to God,
I thank Him for His Son.
For giving us Salvation,
And for making Christmas fun.

As you gather with your loved ones,
On this Christmas season.
I pray we all remember Christ,
For He is the Reason.

As Mary rocks her baby boy
She's filled with sadness, filled with joy
She looks upon that tiny face
And sees the hope of every race.

Her heart is filled with a mother's glow
and she never wants to let him go.
She'll see him run and laugh and play
And longs to keep him safe each day.

His life won't be an easy one,
His destiny hard, as God's Own Son.

Mary sees the miracles he'll perform,
The lepers healed and free from scorn.
The lame will walk, the blind will see.
She sees his love will set us free.

And then she sees him on a cross.
She feels his pain and feels our loss.
She knows his life must come to this,
She sheds a tear and gives a kiss.

His life won't be an easy one,
His destiny hard, as God's Own Son.

So as Christmas time draws near
And we are all so "busy" here,
With shopping, baking, trees of green
Let's ask, what does this really mean?

Let's take a moment from the fuss,
And think of all gifts to us;
A mother's love, a baby boy,
Peace and comfort, love and joy.

For he was born for everyone,
His destiny, GOD'S ONLY SON.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When your kiss your little baby boy you've kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creations?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is Heavens perfect Lamb?
The sleeping child you're holding, is the Great I Am.

Mary... did you know?

By Mark Lowry

At Christmas time there was a man
Who looked so out of place,
As people rushed about him
At a hurried sort of pace.

He stared at all the Christmas lights,
The tinsel everywhere,
The shopping center, Santa Claus,
With children gathered near.

The Mall was packed with shoppers
Who were going to and fro,
Some with smiles and some with frowns
And some too tired to go.

They rested on the benches
Or they hurried on their way,
To fight the crowd for purchases
To carry home that day.

The music from a stereo
Was playing loud and clear
Of Santa Claus, and snow men,
And a funny-nosed reindeer.

He heard the people talk about
The good times on the way,
Of parties, fun, and food galore,
And gifts exchanged that day.

"I'd like to know what's going on,"
The man was heard to say,
"There seems to be some sort of
Celebration on the way."

"And would you tell me who this is,
All dressed in red and white?
And why are children asking him
About a special night?"

The answer came in disbelief,
I can't believe my ears!
I can't believe you do not know
That Christmas time is here,

The time when Santa comes around
With gifts for girls and boys,
When they're asleep on Christmas,
He leaves them books and toys.

The man you see in red and white
Is Santa Claus, so sly,
The children love his joyful laugh
And twinkle in his eye.

His gift packed sleigh is pulled along
By very small reindeer,
As he flies quickly through the air,
While darting here and there.

The children learn of Santa
While they are still quite small.
When Christmas comes, he is the most
Important one of all.

The stranger hung his head in shame,
He closed a nail-pierced hand.
His body shook in disbelief;
He did not understand.

A shadow crossed his stricken face,
His voice was low but clear,
"After all these years, they still don't know."
And Jesus shed a tear.

Somebody had to die for me
just so I could have life and have
it more abundantly.
Somebody had to die for me so that I could
go where it was best for me.
Somebody had to die for me just so that light
could be shed that I might see.
Somebody had to die for me that I might
not be held captive but be free.
Somebody had to die for me that
I didn't have to pretend,
myself I could be.
Somebody had to die for me
so that I could live and
love more continuously.
Somebody had to die for
me and now I believe
in the things he said he'd be.

Renee Easterling, 2001
Moss Point, MS

You lived your life so you could die
for in this world perfection's crime
you traveled 'round to win our souls
so we could call your heaven home

You came into a world unjust
that wasn't ready for your love
you filled our cups to quench our thirst
we love because you loved us first

You lived to die a martyr's death
and institute your holy breath
to think, you gave your righteous blood
to save these souls of sinful mud

Eternal life whispered His name
to us his death was just the same
crucify his feet and hands
for claiming he's the Son of Man

Save thyself thou King of Jews
come off the cross, let thyself loose
what agony and pain to bear
and for a world that didn't care

But wrong it seems the world would be
he rose again in days but three
he proved to us God's mighty hand
is stronger than all those of man

To Jesus Christ may glory be
and all man's praises unto thee
with all my heart to you I say
I'm glad you proved man wrong that day.

I'm saddened to think of what our Lord Jesus Christ had to suffer for our sins. But even sadder it would be had He never suffered at all. Glory be to God for His marvelous gift.

John Janzen Aylmer, Ontario

Upon the cross he hung,
so that his love would be sung.

In his wrists were placed the nails,
the ceasing pain would never fail.

On his head was placed the crown,
the thorns were pushed way deep down.

The sweat and blood ran down his side,
as he took his final breath, he died.

At this time a battle was raging,
the chains of death were no longer caging.

Though dead in the tomb he lay,
he rose from the dead on the third day.

Renae, PA, USA

Who is the man with the price on his head?
A carpenter's son, a ransom for the dead.

Who is the man who never strayed from the law?
The anchor of my soul, a lamb without flaw.

Who is the man with thorns for a crown?
The alpha and the omega, in whom peace can be found.

Who is the man between the two thieves?
The Lord of Lords, the King of Kings.

Who is the man behind all the blood?
The lamb that was slain, the most high God.

Who is the man who struggles to breathe?
Our remover of sin, the Lord of reprieve.

Who is the man who cries out loud?
The giver of life, but a reproach to the crowd.

Who is the man some say is the Christ?
The tower of salvation, the pearl of great price.

Who is the man born of contention and strife?
He is the great "I am", the Bread of Life.

Jesse Clifford, Long Beach Ca.

The shadow of the cross was spread out below Him,
Its arms stretching out…north, south, east, and west,
As if trying to embrace the world in entirety,
Encompassing all, in His grace, at His rest.

As His eyes traveled down on the masses that day,
Drawn to witness His death, most with pleasure,
He could see past their outward appearance of evil,
And sacrifice all for the sake of the treasure.

The treasure He saw on that violent hillside,
Was the vision first born on the dawn of creation,
That man would be joined in a covenant union,
With the Godhead, together, the birth of a nation.

As He looked to His right, He witnessed repentance,
Brought forth in the heart of a once-hardened soul,
And He knew that His mission was finally completed;
For all generations, He accomplished His goal.

Then He looked to His left, and He grimaced with pain,
At the heart made of stone that rejected His Word;
For him there would be no room in His kingdom,
He chose his own ways, even though he had heard.

With all of this drama unfolding around Him,
Fulfillment of grace was still first in His mind;
For He would return, having conquered the darkness,
Return for those masses, which once had been blind.

We are those masses He died for that day,
As He hung on that cross, and the day turned to night,
Now the question remains to ask of yourself,
Which cross do you hang on, the left or the right?

Joy Kelly 2001
The Woodlands, Texas

That should have been me
carrying that.
That should have been me
hurting my back.

That should have been me
walking that road.
That should have been me
with the heavy load.

That should have been me
with holes in my hands.
That should have been me
with a thorny crown.

That should have been me
hanging there.
That should have been me
dying up there.

He paid the price
I couldn't afford
He paid the price
and died for...

That should have been me
dying there.
That should have been me
with blood everywhere.

But there he hangs
and here I stand.
His innocent spirit
and my guilty hands.

He should have never
been hanging there
'Cause that should have been me
up there.

Shiri Ksena

Happy Happy Easter morn
with Loud Hosanna's sing
Jesus Christ is risen today
Our Savior and our King

We raise our voices to the Lord
and rejoice in all His Glory
Christ the Lord is risen today!
We hear the Easter story.

He cried for us, he died for us
He willingly forgives
all who come and kneeling down
their lives to Him they give

Celebrate this Easter morn
with joy and happiness.
He is our Lord and one great King
Eternally He lives!

Dania Hann-Lachapelle, 19 April, 2000

On this day of thanks, I must confess,
my burden seems so light.
And I thank you for your Spirits gift,
that inspires me to write.

I thank you for that rugged cross,
where you died for me that day.
And thank you for your precious blood,
that washed my sins away.

I thank you for the gift of faith,
that keeps me going strong.
And thank you for your soon return,
I know it won't be long.

I thank you for your loving arms,
that hold me in the night.
And thank you Lord, for wisdom found,
that gave me strength to fight.

I thank you for your blessings full,
that rest upon my life.
And thank you for your perfect choice,
when choosing me a wife.

I thank you for my Family Lord,
and all the Love we share.
And thank you for my parent's love,
that has put me in your care.

I thank you for the Father God,
who sent you to this earth.
And for the Holy Spirit's power,
who conceived your virgin birth.

I thank you for your Holy Word,
that guides my every thought.
The inspired words of God himself,
that the Holy Spirit taught.

I thank you Lord, for loving us all,
a love we don't deserve.
And thank you for your saving grace,
and allowing me to serve.

My thanks could never be enough,
for all that you have done.
So it honors me to give my life,
to serve Jehovah's Son.

I will thank you Lord, on every day,
and keep your praises on my lips.
And your Spiritual blessings, I will absorb,
as that latter raining drips.

So on this day, Thanksgiving Day,
my thanks to you is poured.
Because no one else deserves my praise,
but Jesus Christ, The Lord.

Written by..Timothy Jon Barrett
Written on November 25, 1999 (Thanksgiving Day)

"Father, forgive them." Jesus said
As on the cross He bowed His head
This was the burden of His prayer
He prayed for those who hung Him there.

With hands and feet both riven through
He pled, "They know not what they do."
What love to bear such agonies
For those who were His enemies!

There Thou, dear Lord, didst plead for me
For I did hang Thee on that tree
'Twas all my sins Thou didst forgive
That by Thy death I now might live.

How can I thank Thee for Thy grace
In suffering there to take my place?
Here, Lord, I give myself to Thee
Fot Thou didst give Thyself for me.

Help me, forgive others too,
For they too know not what they do
Show forth to them Thy love through me
That all may know I've been with Thee.

Thy life my life, my heart Thine own
Unto the day when at Thy throne
I sing Thy praises ever more
With those who enter heaven's door.

My gift for you this Mother’s day
is a heart full of love.
I’m just so thankful for you Mom
and I thank the Lord above.
For giving me the kindest Mom,
who taught me about God.
And for loving me throughout the years,
even though I’m terribly flawed.

I know I gave you a hard time
when I was just a child.
I know I wasn’t always nice
but still you always smiled.
I’m sorry for the things I did
when I was growing up.
And Mom I’m very thankful that
on me you didn’t give up.

I guess cause now I am a Mom,
of children of my own.
I know first hand how hard it is
and sometimes I just groan.
It makes me think back to you Mom
and how I treated you.
Oh how I wish that I could change
the heartache I put you through.

I know I could have been much worse
but still I’m sure you cried.
I’m sure you laid awake sometimes
thinking, ‘what haven’t I tried'?
But knowing as I know you Mom,
I know you prayed for me.
And as a child I asked Christ in
so I could be set free.

Today I’m living for the Lord,
I give Jesus my all.
No matter what life brings my way
up to my Lord I call.
Like you did Mom, I teach my kids
about God’s awesome love.
And every day I’m on my knees,
sending prayers to God above.

So thank you Mom for everything,
for the example that you are.
For always showing that you care,
whether I’m near or far.
When I think of you dear Mom
I always have to smile.
For when I’m down you cheer me up
and make me feel worthwhile.

Thank you Mom, you are the best,
for you love fills my heart.
And as an adult now I know
I was blessed right from the start.
I know I do not say enough
that to me you mean so much.
And I just want to thank you Mom,
for the life that you did touch.

© Nancy Burr