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 |   We live much of life amid unique choices. Joy is anchored in The One beyond our life. |
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"Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success." C. S. Lewis "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." C. S. Lewis “I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now... Come further up, come further in!” ― C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1059917-the-last-battle “The Road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, And I must follow, if I can, Pursuing it with eager feet, Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” J.R.R. Tolkien    |
Suspenseful waiting is no more. The presents open are revealed. Our love expressed is from the core. The gifts are tokens. The true is sealed. We read accounts of Jesus' birth. We sang Him, "Happy Birthday," too. Nothing on Earth can match the worth of the Joy, He brings to me and you. The wrapping paper must be stored. The boxes, all now empty, placed. Each card received, up on a board. The turkey breast we cook and baste. All hearts prepare to start, again, to live our lives of normal fare. The holidays with kith and kin are days unique, and truly rare. To pause before the new days start, reflecting on hushed moments' bliss, we wipe a tear to leave and part from this good celebration's kiss. by Jay O’Toole on December 25th, 2022 |
This Christmas Eve we wait anew for old Saint Nicholas, a great man, who had much to do with many souls to bless. He loved the Lord with all his heart, and lived to glory bring to Christ, the Lord Salvation's Start and End to make us sing. Each gift surrounding ev'ry tree is testimony of the death, and rest, and Life to free in Christ's eternal Love. We savor ev'ry moment, now, 'til gifts present the choice. Will we receive, before Him bow or follow our own voice? How can one man leave a gift for all the humans on this Earth, unless He be the Lord, Whose Call leads to everlasting birth. (John 6:37,44; John 14:6) by Jay O’Toole on December 24th, 2022 |
Carbo-loading reindeer team, pressing Santa's jolly suit, stuffing bears, and sowing seams, testing horns, that loudly toot. "Santa's trip is almost here! Shine up Rudolph's glowing nose! Compute the route, that's free and clear! Smooth the treads before he goes!" Toys are packed, but still, there's more working elves around the clock. Bits and pieces line the floor. The spelling elves, now sign each sock. His frequent flyer miles are full, 'til Christmas 3095, but Mama Claus still has some pull to keep him home their Joy to thrive. "But that must wait. Tomorrow night is on the schedule as you know. Yet, when I'm back by morning light, we'll snuggle on the couch I trow." "Let's snuggle, now. The wind, it bites throughout all North America. Just hold me close. Yes, really tight, and take me soon to Florida." The final task is supper time to tighten his wide, rugged belt, then final sleep in thoughts sublime. His looks to her, her heart still melts. by Jay O’Toole on December 23rd, 2022 |
The Serenity Prayer: "God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can & the Wisdom to know the difference." ----------------------------------------------------- A white and cold Christmas comes to blanket all the continent. We're looking at the snowy sums to find a place to compliment. "But it's not like that mostly, Friends. The snow is just an afterthought. This frigid cold quite truly rends all peaceful travel tickets bought." That's Ryan Hall, the shade-tree coach of all things weather related. He says the coldest sure approach must not be lost, nor understated. "Dear God, I ask You grant me true the Wisdom to see truth each day. I'd like to change what I can do, accepting what I can't, I pray." The difference between making change, and waiting for God's Hand to work is wisdom known to rearrange the hopes of peace from words of "shirk." "Dear God, we pray for a peaceful end to this great storm, that tempts us fear. Please, keep our loved ones safe and send Your angels making our way clear. "Please, help us do the things we can to bundle up and eat some food. Please, help us save by greatest plan our pets and elders for their good. "But what the weather does is Yours. We rest upon Your Ancient Grace. Each life, that's hid in You endures down here or in Your Lasting Place. "For Wisdom's Peace in You is best. You work through us to our best task. You show us, that in ev'ry test in Hope to rest. It's all we ask. In Your Great Name, amen." God keep you, Dear Friends, further north as we endure what is to come. The other side may He lead forth, restoring Life's abundant sum. by Jay O’Toole on December 22nd, 2022 |
Blessed notes of every stripe, up and down the board, glissandos as fingers swipe these waves to praise the Lord. Measured notes of whole and half with sixteenth runs as well, a swaying bridge is now the staff, that makes each heart to swell. The Wexford Carol is the first, that I must play when practicing. Messiah born for souls, who thirst removes the need for balancing. The other gift of Christmas tune is "Still, Still, Still," its peace imparts. Messiah's coming now so soon removes great conflict from the start. To sing and play of He, Whose Birth began the restoration Plan is Joy of heart beyond all mirth in Grace fore'er The Savior can. by Jay O’Toole on December 21st, 2022 |
Warming glow 'mid quiet sounds to keep the blustery chill at bay. Evening thoughts of the day abound, nothing need we do or say. Soft white lights to warm the heart, blessings in each wordless gift, peaceful moments find their start each soul on the coldest night to lift. Christmas Joy wrapped in the whitest rays of lights to keep our hope's own rest. Blessed nights, that follow days of busy jobs, that often test. by Jay O’Toole on December 20th, 2022 |
The temperatures are newly cold with Christmas almost here. The wrapping paper's neatest folds show gifts so wondrously clear. "Please, help me, Lord, to keep these days of Christmas in my heart. How swiftly they run with light displays to the end from whence they start. "Your great Son's Birth is why we joy. December's full of light. Please, make it last more than a toy, and fill us with hope so bright. "Please, give us Christmas joy all through the year, until the days of lights and decorations new, with love and kindness obeyed. "Eternal life when this one's done, so blest by sights and sounds. Please, gift our loved ones by Your Son, that ever Hope abounds. "The Greatest Gift, that sunny morn was Jesus living new. Salvation's Bliss from death was torn. The work of Life was through. "Please, send Your Invitation's Call (John 6:44) to those we know and love, and to the rest, whose 'life' is pall, the canceled debt remove. "'Amen,' we cheer. God's Christ has come. We pray in Jesus' Name. The new year's Hope be His dear Sum to rest, no more in shame." by Jay O’Toole on December 19th, 2022 |
red and shiny nose flies in front for all to see darkish night is cleared by Jay O’Toole on December 16th, 2022 |
| 'Tis ten more days 'til Christmastide when Santa brings what young ones spied, and Hope's eternal, none denied, but frenzied shopping ends. 'Tis ten more days 'til Christmas bliss when childlike joy makes parents kiss, and days of peace begin with this, the heart of someone mends. 'Tis ten more days 'til Christmas comes when parents add the checkbook sums. The calendar, again, becomes its beat of "mostly same." 'Tis ten more days 'til Christmas Joy for man and woman, girl and boy, whose hopes are tied, not to a toy, but to the One, Who came. 'Tis ten more days 'til Christmas lights make dancing eyes and wondrous sights find rest within this night of nights for Mary's Gift was wrapped. 'Tis ten more days 'til Christmas hay reminds each heart, He came to stay to save us from this death-filled Day to free the ones so trapped. 'Tis ten more days 'til Christmas' Son this Life forever by Him won Salvation in blest hearts, now won is seen so hopeful, new. 'Tis ten more days 'til Christmastide. A Baby's Birth and Savior's Side defends us from our human pride. He came to save us, too. by Jay O’Toole on December 15th, 2022 |
Christmas day will soon be here. We really should be sweet. The poem tells us, "not a tear, or you will miss a treat." When Rudolph led the big man's sleigh, the sky was murky dark. He bested all the games they play. 'Twas no need then to park. The broken toys of Misfit Land found truest homes that night. Their future lives were wondrous, grand when children made things right. So, "Ho, ho, ho, and merry all your Christmases must be," as Santa sits so big and tall in his sleigh for all to see. by Jay O’Toole on December 14th, 2022 |
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