Introduction

It is that time of year where we celebrate the joys of the holidays,

the rushing around at the last minute for that one gift

you know him/her will love,

or maybe something special for the parents or kids.

This is the only holiday out of the year

that is a prequel to Christmas itself,

so I start here with a collection that will incluide the holiday setting

as well as Christ himself.

As time unfolds, I will include other holidays throughout the year,

so this will rear its head periodically.

... and may I say it now before I forget,

may this Christmas find you happy and safe.

We have a lot to be thankful for after the year we have had

and I feel that now, more than ever,

we should all starting spreading

the real joy of what this time means.

https://youtu.be/xMtuVP8Mj4o

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Can you handle a pair of sandals;

that have roamed across this land?

Can you handle a pair of sandals;

that bled and died for you?

Can you handle a pair of sandals;

that has walked across the sea?

Can you handle a pair of sandals;

from a man who set us free?

We have sinned and turned away,

on the truth of life.

That if we give ourselves to Jesus,

we’ll find joy from a man who set us free.

Can you handle a pair of sandals;

and the truth of his coming reign?

Can you handle a pair of sandals;

as Jesus comes to us again?

Everyone in the world can fly,

everyone in the world can fly,

raise your hands high,

reach up to the sky,

and shout precious Jesus,

let me be free!

Reach out in prayer,

reach out in prayer,

lift up your voice,

give him your praise,

and shout precious Jesus,

please set me free!

You can fly,

you can fly,

He will see you,

he will be with you,

and shout precious Jesus,

has set me free!

When you aren’t sure,

when you feel lost, confused,

when doubt causes blindness,

just reach out;

ask for help.

When your heart is saddened,

deeply worried and troubled,

and you just don’t have the words

what is caught up in your mind,

just reach out;

ask for help.

Know that when your voice screams out in fear,

and you become frightened of the unknown,

frightened of the darkness that seems to engulf you,

and you feel trapped in a place with no way out;

close your eyes;

ask for help.

When you feel lost and completely alone,

when you believe you have not a friend to be found,

when hope feels shattered by despair,

and love seems dashed by bitterness,

close your eyes,

and believe.

Believing is part of the battle,

part of finding your way back from the dark,

part of being free of the anguish, the torment,

part of coming back home and feeling safe,

close your eyes,

and pray.

Prayer answers all your needs.

Prayer helps you recover what is lost.

Prayer does what no other human can.

Prayer brings you a step closer to Jesus.

Prayer is everything.

Prayer, can handle a million things and more.

Above all else, first came God,

to create all things.

What followed is our history.

Adam, Eve, Able, Cain, Noah,

Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon,

Ruth, Job, the Israelites,

the Moabites, Muslims, Moslems,

Egyptians, and other tribes who roamed.

It was their children,

the children of their children,

who brought us into another time,

another place where strife took hold,

and caused the world more suffering.

Then came Simon who became Peter,

Andrew, Peter’s brother,

James, John, and Phillip,

Matthew, Thomas, and Bartholomew,

James, son of Alphaeus,

Simon the Zealot,

Thaddaeus, son of James,

and Judas Iscariot.

Disciples found, were taught the Scriptures.

All followed one softly spoken man,

loved and adored by many,

brought into this world by Joseph,

and his mother … Mary.

That man’s name—Jesus,

the Son of God.

He healed the sick, the infirmed,

the deaf, the blind,

resurrected the dead.

He fed thousands from two baskets.

But he posed a threat to old ideas.

Old beliefs that refused to change,

until it became almost too late.

Priests conspired with Pontius Pilate,

and on a day of injustice to the world,

Barabbas walked free,

while two thieves hung in waiting.

And that one cross hung heavy in the air

as Jesus hung his head one last time,

just after he spoke his final words:

“Forgive them Father, for they know not what

They do. I commend my soul into your hands.”

It was his name, Jesus Christ,

that made the greatest difference in the Bible.

And his disciples?

They went far and wide,

teaching what Jesus gave them,

and one by one,

they were prosecuted, put to death.

John wrote of Revelations,

but he too also died,

for like the others,

he loved Jesus so.

Of them all,

Judas became a household word: traitor.

But perhaps, even moments before he died,

it is suspected he asked for forgiveness,

and it was given.

No sin so great or so small

can be forgiven unless you ask Jesus,

in his Holy Name,

to release you from your sin.

Through the Father,

through Jesus,

the chains shall he break,

your oppression will wither,

blown away as dust would in a wind,

and your soul, cleansed.

Names.

They follow us everywhere.

It stormed,

thundered,

rained pelted everywhere.

But there upon night,

it saw shepherds,

even kings, kneel.

The babe smiled,

the mother cried,

as she pronounced his name,

“Jesus.”

Other days followed,

some good some not so good,

but Jesus followed his future

as he searched for his brothers.

Once found,

Jesus spent days and nights

giving each man the Words of the Father,

and they believed.

The Spirit filled them.

Nights, days,

filled with love,

filled with fear,

but Jesus never trembled,

never failed in his faith.

Another storm came,

rolling clouds of anger;

disgust covered the skies.

It was then it was heard

when Jesus cried out,

to forgive those who had sinned.

The land became a hushed silence,

tears loomed but smiles prevailed,

for a moment, pain evaporated.

And with faith, you knew he would return.

… and there were days, everlasting.

I woke up this morning,

looked at my hands,

stared down at my feet,

touched my side,

wiped gently at my brow.

I found none of the markings,

none of the painful reminders

of a day that became blackness,

when God cried out for His Son,

and it is His Son

who watches over me.

As I woke up this morning,

as I looked at my hands and feet,

touched my side and brow,

and felt truly blessed

that Jesus went through this pain,

to covet my sins and still love me.

The boulder rolled away,

torn asunder and lay forlornly,

on a simple patch of earth.

Next to it for but a moment,

two footprints, then gone.

He does live.

To be in the right place

at the right time,

to experience specialness;

a singular oneness,

is rare.

Amidst a night sky,

to witness a shooting star,

is a oneness.

To feel the warmth of the sun,

watch as it fades into the night,

is spectacular.

To live in a lifetime

where men land on the moon,

where walls come down,

where east meets west,

is to share a living history.

No matter all its importance,

no greater happening is a love lost,

until recaptured.

Then, and only then,

is all else truly worthwhile.

How fortunate the soul

to be given love,

to be watched over,

cared for,

and know our sins,

are his sins,

and he loves us still.

That, is truly, living history.

Just as it was that day,

Enrich your mind, your essence,

Search for the true peace he sought,

Understanding his soul is limitless,

Saving a place inside himself for us all.

Be not afraid to cry for help.

Listen for the word to touch you,

Envision what awaits your future,

Driving forces will carry you.

Forgetting not that single day,

Often memories filled with both pain and tears,

Relinquish your spirit to his memory.

He gave his life for an uncertain future,

Unfailing in his strength he died for us,

Mankind speaks of him in many tongues, many ways,

A reverence unlike no other man in history,

Notwithstanding, his return will be glorious,

Infuse your thoughts, faith, passions of the moment,

Therefore, by faith, belief, trust in the Word,

Yearn deeply for a return with a glorious evermore.

Deny me freedom,

lock me in chains,

hide me from the light,

but there is one thing

you can never do;

take away my Lord.

Blind my eyes,

cut away my tongue,

cripple my legs,

but I still see,

still walk,

still speak with my Lord.

Do with me what you will,

shame me if you must,

but one thing

you can never do,

is leave me locked with my sins;

for they will be broken by my Lord.