Sitting by a cozy fire
listening to John Rutter’s choir
frees me from the quicksand mire
of daily life demands.
The dancing flames invite my gaze
and penetrate the inner haze
of foggy thoughts from stressful days
and deadlines yet unmet.
And in the fire’s warmth I find
a respite from the daily grind
and faith to trust when I am blind
to how God cares for me.
As we face the bleak midwinter
and the angst of sunless days,
dark emotions drain our joy ducts
when depression stalks its prey.
Lord of light please shine upon us.
Bathe us with Your warmth we pray.
As we navigate the puddles
in the place where joy once played,
it is hard to sense Your presence,
when our hearts are cold and gray.
Lord of light please shine upon us.
Bathe us with Your warmth we pray.
As we wait with hope for springtime
when joy blossoms day by day
we acknowledge our dependence
on Your knowledge of our way.
Lord of light please shine upon us.
Bathe us with Your warmth we pray.
Tune: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
In the darkness of our Advent,
we wait for dawn.
Racial strife and greed are rampant
Hatred is strong.
Justice hides and peace is sleeping
while the innocent are weeping
as the wealthiest are reaping
what smacks as wrong.
As we wait for what You’ve promised,
faith can grow weak.
Doubt can bully idle patience
when silence speaks.
Winter’s dark can find us fearing
when the voices we are hearing
drown Your Spirit’s whispers cheering
us still to seek.
May Your presence light our journey.
Lord, guide our way.
God-with-us be ever near us.
Help us, we pray.
Penetrate the mist of mourning
as the daybreak clouds are forming
to remind us of that morning
night turns to day.
Tune: All Through the Night
On each continent we worship
breaking bread and sharing wine.
We are joined in sweet communion
tasting grace while marking time.
Purchased by Christ’s blood and body,
we’re diverse as we can be.
On this holy day we gather
mindful of our unity.
On each continent we worship
to proclaim Christ Jesus King.
Borders blur as anthems echo
in the lyrics that we sing.
In all corners of Christ’s Kingdom
we proclaim His majesty.
On this holy day we gather
mindful we are family.
On each continent we worship
one in mind and one in heart.
Children of a common Father
each a necessary part
of the whole that God intended
to achieve His Kingdom come.
On this holy day we gather,
mindful that the Church is one.
Tune: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
Uniting Christ followers in a biblical cause
We cry for justice when truth is ignored.
We advocate for the innocent poor.
We pray for mercy and model God’s grace.
We are God’s arms and God’s hands and God’s face.
We cry for justice when it’s been denied.
We stand with victims when they’ve been deprived.
We voice our protest when children are harmed.
We feel God’s anger and sound the alarm.
We cry for justice when crime seems to pay.
We resist leaders who lead us astray.
We fight for answers for those without homes.
We base our values in Scripture alone.
We cry for justice and make it our cause.
We work to override ungodly laws.
We ask each other “What would Jesus do?”
We won’t give up till our mission is through.
*I wrote these words mindful of Emmett Till’s birthday (July 25, 1941). They can be sung to the tune for “Be Thou My Vision.”
My Rhymes and Reasons 