A contrast in scenarios

A young couple with a baby
viewed their mission quite divine.
Who was this husband and his quiet wife?
Unlike the Holy Family
who emerged in Bethlehem
these two misguided killers lost their lives.

And they left their little baby.
How unthinkable! How cruel!
Terror’s vision is as selfish as it’s blind.
In a world beset by hatred,
ISIS chills us to the bone
as we look to ancient Scripture for a sign.

Where’s the peace the prophets promised?
Will this bloodshed ever end?
Is the message preached each Christmas just a ruse?
No! Emmanuel (God with us)
is that orphaned child’s hope
and the means by which we make sense of the news.

https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/what-will-happen-to-the-6-month-old-baby-of-the-214257424.html

Lessons from Mary and Joseph’s Flight to Egypt

The warning system set in place
suggested grave concern.
A terrorist in Israel hatched a plan.
Those leaving home this time of year
would do so at great risk.
The danger posed called for a travel ban.

A dad and mom and infant son
packed for their westbound trek.
They knew they had to make their midnight flight.
Determined to avoid the threat,
they cautiously escaped
advancing in the shadows of moonlight.

That terror cell in Bethlehem
achieved its ruthless plot
exterminating children under two.
With ISIS-like precision,
Herod killed the innocent
while unaware his hoped-for target flew.

And now-as-then the travel risk
this time of year is great.
Young families have good reason for their fear.
The tyranny of terror robs their joy
and steals their peace
because they can’t be sure when death is near.

So as You guided Joseph
on his flight to Egypt land
with Mary and young Jesus in his care,
won’t You dear loving Father
please protect the ones we love
as they travel in a car, by rail or air?

What’s in a name?

Giving has a first name.
It’s the reason why we give.
A grateful heart has eyes for those in need.
Thanks Giving is a way of life
(not just a holiday)
since giving follows where our blessings lead.

What motivates our giving
is the knowledge God’s been good.
A grateful heart just tends to overflow.
When we’re thankful for God’s goodness,
we are overwhelmed with joy.
And then giving is the way we let it show.

Yes, Thanks Giving calls attention
to the action that’s required
when our grateful hearts acknowledge we are blessed.
First names tend to pose no problem.
They roll off the tongue with ease.
But the second name can often be a test.

Saying thanks is pretty easy
but the proof of what we say
is seen when grateful hearts reach out and give.
Thankfulness may be a feeling,
but the essence of that joy
is the generosity by which we live.

How Christians should respond to Starbucks

St. Arbucks is no humbug.
His red cup kindles joy.
His cup of cheer is served up with a smile.
The absence of some sentiment is no conspiracy.
This saint who serves all faiths is hardly vile.

We have to be more gracious
when it comes to this dear Saint.
After all his Christmas cup IS red and green.
Our reactions (as believers)
to what others do or don’t
reflect our Lord to others (kind or mean).

We don’t need a cup with captions
to announce what we all know.
A plain red Starbucks cup is fine with me.
It is OUR jobs as Christians
to convey what Christmas means
as our culture toes the line to be PC.