Christian Poetry

A Christmas Dance

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Because Christ lives, we do not have to fear tomorrow nor weep for yesterday.  Every memory of love, joy, and hope have been God’s gift to us throughout the years.  If any of you awoke this morning alone, this poem I wrote is for you.  My hope is it lifts your spirit just a little; especially, if you have a missing place at your table.

A Christmas Dance

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

The fireplace was blazing, the lights turned down low

While outside was falling a blanket of snow

So handsome you were with your suit and your tie

The guests had all left, it was just you and I

You reached out your hand to ask me to dance

Without a word but such love in your glance

The Christmas tree sparkled like stars in the night

The children asleep with dreams of delight

It soon would be morning, a bright Christmas day

But for now, we would twirl, turn and would sway

Wrapped in your arms, my heart soared or so it did seem

Until I awoke, it was only a dream

 

As I lay there in bed I felt so alone

‘Til I thought of you there before God’s throne

I imagined the joy as you danced and you sang

The chorus of angels as Christmas bells rang

The tears that were falling faded away

As I remembered God’s gift that first Christmas Day

CHORUS

 

The baby, God’s son sent from above

A sacrifice great to show me His love

He came to this earth to live and to die

And pay then sin’s price for you and for I

One day I’ll join you when God calls my name

Until then with joy, my life will proclaim

Jesus was born, what a Glorious day

Emmanuel lives in my heart to stay

 

So, Merry Christmas, my darling; now I must run

To celebrate joy, the gift of God’s son

As I now see that this memory of you

A wonderful gift that only God knew

Would fill me with hope, my love renew

One day we will dance again face to face

Celebrating our King for His Saving Grace

CHORUS

The baby, God’s son sent from above

A sacrifice great to show me His love

He came to this earth to live and to die

And pay then sin’s price for you and for I

One day I’ll join you when God calls my name

Until then with joy, my life will proclaim

Jesus was born, what a Glorious day

Emmanuel lives in my heart to stay

[bctt tweet=”My beloved husband went to be with God, July 23, 1994. We danced in my dreams last night.” username=”effiedarlene”]

[bctt tweet=”One day we will dance again, this time it will be celebrating our Lord and King” username=”effiedarlene”]



I would love to here about your journey; please scroll down to comment below.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Christian Blog

Can True Hope Really Be Found in The World?

We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth. Colossians 1:3-6

 

Paul as he wrote to this young church in Colossae who were literally under attack for their faith from every side and even within spoke of hope. They were in a melting pot of societies who desired they blend their faith with other philosophies to be more tolerant of ideologies rather than to hold fast to the truth of the gospel. They faced ridicule from those around them. Often, they faced even possible imprisonment or death for their faith. Life was not easier; indeed, in many ways life’s journey became harder as they began this new found life as Christians. They sacrificed more. They gave of their time, their money and their resources to spread the truth of the gospel; often to be met with resistance anger, and ridicule. So, on what did they anchor their hope? Without hope, it is difficult or nearly impossible to press on when things get tough.

Hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. It is that feeling that all is going to be ok in the end. If I hope to finish the race; then, I will press on when my legs grow weary. The greater I perceive the treasure at the end of the race to be; the higher my hope grows each step of the race. Anticipating with great joy the finish line; I press on. Continue reading Can True Hope Really Be Found in The World? →

Christian Blog

How to Never Compromise Truth in a Spirit of Love

We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. Colossians 1:3-8

 

What distinguished the early Christian Church from all other religions and allowed it to spread? What caused the early Christians to be fruitful in their endeavors? And what seems to be the stumbling block for the present-day church? How do we uncompromisingly hold fast to truth while at the same time do so with a spirit of love?

What stood out most in the early church were the selfless acts of kindness, love and community among the believers; as well as their willingness to suffer whatever consequence of standing firm for the truth of the gospel. They also were quick to do random acts of kindness for even those who persecuted them. Humility, servitude, kindness and the willingness to suffer for the furtherance of the gospel marked the early church and drew people in. This is something we must remember and not get caught up in the “me” society of Christians who act for the sake of gaining ourselves anything.

Continue reading How to Never Compromise Truth in a Spirit of Love →

Christian Blog

Why Songs of Peace in A War-Torn World?

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:10-14

 

As Christmas approaches with great joy and hope we sing of peace on earth; yet, all around us we see anger, pride, terrorism, war, and violence. How was it that over 2000 years ago, the angels sang of peace? How was it that Paul wrote to the Colossians of peace? Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:2 As I already pointed out last week, they were a church being bombarded by false doctrines who bid them be open minded. There was conflict and controversy within the church as well as the society that surrounded them. People were being tortured and killed for speaking the truth of the gospel. Paul himself was in prison. So how could Paul write of peace? Was this merely a hope for one day when Christ returns to set up reign on earth? There will be that day! But, how do we as Christians sing of peace now while living in a war-torn world ravaged with division, hate, and anger?

Continue reading Why Songs of Peace in A War-Torn World? →

Christian Poetry

My One Desire This Christmas Day

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

 

In listening to the news yesterday; I could not help but notice that some say we have lost our hope this year, while others say for the first time in 8 years they have hope of a future.  Both reflecting their hope in a man who either is now or in one who soon will be our President.  Yes, I must say I am hopeful that our President Elect will bring good things to our nation; the same as I was hopeful when I voted for President Obama eight years ago.  If my hope stands merely upon a man or a woman; I know that I will be disappointed.  Yet, my hope cannot be dashed by mere circumstances of this world; because, my hope is firmly held and anchored by God to His promises for me.  And so it is, to all those who feel hopeful this Christmas and to all those who feel their hope has been crushed; my prayer is that God touch you with His Grace.  I pray you abound in hope because of God’s Gift to you upon that first Christmas Day.

My One Desire This Christmas Day

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

The tinsel and lights with songs of good cheer

It was the season, December was here

The stores were a bustle with holiday light

Yet something was wrong, it just wasn’t right

There was an a boding a sense that of fear

As some even said hope left us this year

I pondered a moment and wondered then why?

Perhaps it was truth replaced by a lie

They said that You don’t really belong

To celebrate You would even be wrong

That Christmas must not be about You

We must not offend; our thoughts must be new

I shuttered the thought, my life without You

A cold bitter hopelessness came into view

 

Chorus:

Lord, help me to be a star shining bright

To draw all men unto Your Glorious light

Hope can be found in Your Precious Son

Only in Him, the victory is won

Love came to earth that first Christmas Day

Only in Him can hope find its way

So, let me sing forth this Glorious Song

Proclaiming Your Grace, Your gift to belong

Let my life be a mirror, a reflection of You

For others to see! If only they knew!

 

Verse II

Don’t they know You’re the hope that came on that day?

That you are our Joy? There’s no other way!

That you are our Savior! The one that we need!

The One for whom our heart’s cry does plead!

Reflect forth my hope, my eyes fixed on You

So Filled by Your Glory for others to view

Let Your love and joy shine forth from my life

To those who are filled with fear and with strife

Transform my heart, make me Your light

To pierce through the deepest darkness of night

You are the hope, the love they search for

So, Lord make me less that You can be more

This is my true wish and for this I pray

The gift I desire on this Christmas Day

Bridge:

Ring forth the joy of Christmas cheer

The Lord has come to draw men near

He left His majesty on high

Our dreadful plight to rectify

To set us free from chains within

That bind our hearts to death and sin

That hope a rise within our hearts

As love and joy He does Impart

Chorus:

Let my life be a mirror, a reflection of You

For others to see! If only they knew!

You are the hope, the love they search for

So, Lord make me less that You can be more

This is my true wish and for this I pray

The gift I desire on this Christmas Day

[bctt tweet=”Let my life be a mirror a reflection of You For others to see If only they knew” username=”effiedarlene”]

[bctt tweet=”You are the hope the love they search for So Lord make me less that You can be more” username=”effiedarlene”]

[bctt tweet=”This is my true wish & for this I pray The gift I desire on this Christmas Day” username=”effiedarlene”]



I would love to here about your journey; please scroll down to comment below.

Picture used by permission: https://unsplash.com/@rpnickson

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Inspiring Joy in Lifes Toughest Moments