Merry Christmas!

For centuries, through endless night,
We wandered lost, without a light.
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No day, no light, though sun shown down,
In night of sin we were always found.
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Prophecies spoke of one who’d come,
Shining brighter than the sun.
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He’d break through the darkest night;
And to the lost He’d shine a light.
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A lamb, a king, a sacrifice,
A star who would from Jacob rise:
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For this we waited and watched to see
The Light who’d come and set us free.
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But He did not come as we had thought
With power and riches for His lot.
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That Bethlehem night, when He came down
He had no riches, no kingly crown.
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As a babe He came to Earth,
Child of a virgin birth.
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He was born in the most unexpected place of all:
The stable of a humble inn, so quiet and so small.
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There was no room at any inn;
No other place to welcome Him.
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Yet o’er that stable a new star shone out,
Proclaiming His birth north, east, west, and south.
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And to lonely shepherds now appeared
A sight that brought both joy and fear.
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“Do not fear!” spoke angel bright.
“I bring good news for you this night!
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Christ the Savior is born to you!
To the stable, go and see, ‘tis true!”
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The angels filled the starry sky,
Singing “Glory be to God on high!”
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To Bethlehem the shepherds went
And found it as the angel said.
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Through the town they then returned,
Proclaiming to all what they’d seen and heard.
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And following the star from Eastern lands,
Strangers came from o’er desert sands.
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Three kings came to see the Light,
Born upon that silent night.
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Gold, myrrh, and incense to Him they bring
To give honor to the King of Kings.
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But the richest of gifts could never compare
To God’s greatest gift who was lying there.
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Still He shines His light today
Guiding us to God’s bright day.
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And one day when all darkness flees,
The one true Light will reign supreme.
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Now on this day of Jesus’ birth,
We remember when He came to Earth,
To be for those who are lost, a light,
And break through sin’s accursed night.
~~

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord."
~Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas, everyone!

-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)

Advent Week 4: Angels

This is the fourth in my series of Advent poems. If you haven't, please read the poems for Week One, Week Two, and Week Three.
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Week Four: Angels

The angels spoke of hope for men

And peace on earth both now and then.

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Their message endures to this day:

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That God to us His own Son gave,

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And that newborn King so small

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Would one day pay the sins of all.

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And so we celebrate this night

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The Child who gave us Life and Light.

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 -Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)

Advent Week 3: Shepherds

This is the third poem in my series of Advent poems. If you haven't already, don't forget to read Week One and Week Two's poems!
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Week Three: Shepherds

In fields outside the little town

Shepherds and their flocks lay down.

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They thought their normal watch to keep.

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But they were wakened from their sleep.

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The angel brought the holy word

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Of the arrival of the Lord.

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The shepherds found Him as was said:

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Their newborn king in manger-bed.

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 -Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)

Advent Week 2: Bethlehem

This is part two of my series of Advent poems. If you missed the first part, you can find it here.

Week Two: Bethlehem

From you, oh little Bethlehem,

The prophets said would come the lamb.

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You watched and waited for the day.

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And for Him to come you prayed.

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But did you recognize your Lord?

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Did you know when He was born?

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You recalled not what prophets said.

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You found for Him no room or bed.

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 -Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)

Advent Week 1: Prophecy

I don't know how many of you all celebrate Advent, but for me, it's always been one of the biggest parts of
the Christmas season. Every night, starting the fourth Sunday before Christmas, we light the candles on the Advent wreath, read from the Bible and one of our Advent storybooks, and my sister and I open a new window on our Advent calendars. I admit that I can get impatient with it at times, particularly when I'm stressed with things I need to get done or I have to step away from chatting with friends, but the season wouldn't be the same without the tradition.

A few years ago, however, I decided that I was tired of all the calendars I'd been doing- particularly as I'd practically memorized the poem from my favorite Advent calendar- and so I decided to write my own Advent poem. Then, because my original poem turned out rather long for nightly reading, I wrote another set of poems last year: four poems, one for each week and each candle in the Advent wreath. As it happened, I ended up writing most of the poems at the last minute, so I couldn't post them . . . but this year, I thought I'd put them up, one per week until Christmas (when I'll possibly post my original Advent poem). And yes, this first poem should've gone up on Sunday. I was putting up the Christmas tree, though, and yesterday I just forgot.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
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Week One: Prophecy

The prophecies, they spoke of Him:

The One who freed us all from sin.

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They called Him shepherd and called Him king.

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They called Him Light that Life will bring.

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They called Him lamb and sacrifice.

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They said that He would be despised.

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They said He’d come to break the chains.

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He’d free the people who were slaves.

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 -Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)