Greeting 2023

Greeting 2023
Ephesians 6:12

This year was kinda bad.
We had a lot of problems.
We look ahead to this New Year
To see God continuing to solve them.

There was the plumbing deluge,
Then Mom became ill last Winter.
They laid Dad off at the factory,
And then the broken printer.

The truck needed a new battery.
It was done before its years.
The radiator leaked like a sieve,
And our rent was in arrears.

The electric bill soared so high,
And now it’s the water heater.
U.S. politics didn’t go our way,
And food too scarce for eaters.

We know it’s really not these things,
But how to them we react.
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood.
It’s those spiritual forces who us attack.

It doesn’t depend on how we feel
Or even what we do.
It’s whole-souled trust in God above
That always gets us through.

— Charles B. Mayes

Image: geralt – pixabay.com

Was 2022 a good year for you? Is every year a good year when we follow Jesus Christ? Is there such a thing as a bad day or are all days good in Jesus Christ?

When we follow Jesus, how can we have a bad year or day? We may have a day with many challenges. We may have a hard day, but with Him we can see the blessings of each day. This is not an easy thing. It is a very hard thing sometimes, but it is a necessary thing as we thank Him and see what He does for us yearly and daily.

And when I don’t trust enough,
Whatever “enough” is,
I ask Him to supply that trust
And He always gives.

[From “Running to the Cross” – 2014 – Charles B. Mayes]

I want to thank those who followed my website in 2022, and some for several years! Also I’m happy for each of you who stop by time to time. May God richly bless all of you in 2023!

If you would like to use this poem reading as a performance; or on your website; in your newsletter; bulletin; speech; sermon; class; etc., you must indicate on the communication that the author is “Charles B. Mayes” and it is “Used by Permission”. If it is used on a website, please add our website address, or link to http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com or http://www.HisPoems.com.

If these poems minister to you, I’d encourage you to pass the word along talking with your friends; when you write an email; or when you’re on Facebook or other social media to include a mention of http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com or http://www.HisPoems.com.

Other poems are available in a chapbook titled, A New Year Resolution and Other Poems (including The Missionaries) by Charles B. Mayes. It contains 22 poems. The foreword is written by Dr. P.T. Mammen, Senior Pastor of San Bruno (CA) International Christian Center.”

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . ” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

Happy New Year!

To request my free Christian readings by email, sent from time to time, please put the word “Follow” in the Comment section.

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com -” ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)
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Posted on December 30, 2022 by farsails

Christmas Is Finally Over

Christmas Is Finally Over!

Luke 2:20

Christmas is finally over!
Now you can go back to normal –
To “regularly scheduled programming.”
Away from this Yuletide formal.

No listening to Christmas songs
Ad nauseam that noisily swell,
At the grocery store,
Like “Come On Ring Those Bells.”

Your eyes won’t be hurt
As you try to drive at night
By those overdone gaudy
Christmas lights.

Don’t forget the political news
That captures the airwaves –
Left, Center, Right and Between,
All that socially saves.

On Facebook,
Comments about polite posts again,
Making snide mocking remarks,
No more good will toward men.

As you walk by today
No irritating high-pitched bell
Rung by the Red Kettle person
Raising Heaven.

Christmas is really over!
You don’t have to go back to normal.
You can continue praising God
Even after this Yuletide formal.

— Charles B. Mayes

Graphic: RobinHiggins – pixabay.com

I hope that my satirical poem helps us remember to think about Christmas all year and to continue praising God!

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Holy Bible – Luke 2:20 – NIV)

Happy New Year!

_______________________________________
As If Watching A Movie

“I’m sorry that it took me so long to thank you for your wonderful gift of poetry. As I was reading your poem, [Independence Day] the images of the people celebrating Independence Day and being proud of this day came to me as if I was watching a nice short movie. I was very moved.” Daisuke (Luke) S., Mountain View, CA.

Very Moving

“I just read ‘Mistaken Identity.’ It is very moving, and one of your best.” Joan M.-H., Muskogee, OK.

Complimentary in Faith

“Love your poetry writing! So complimentary in the common faith!” Chanel B., DE.

_______________________________________

If you would like to use this poem reading as a performance; or on your website; in your newsletter; bulletin; speech; sermon; class; etc., you must indicate on the communication that the author is “Charles B. Mayes” and it is “Used by Permission”. If it is used on a website, please add our website address, or link to http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com or http://www.HisPoems.com.

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . ” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME, please fill out the Contact Form below. To request my free Christian readings by email, sent from time to time, please put the word “Follow” in the Comment section.

Thank you!

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ” ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)
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Posted on December 26, 2022 by farsails

Where It’s Christmas All The Time

Where It’s Christmas All The Time

Where it’s Christmas all the time
Because there’s joy for you and me –
It isn’t on the earth
But in Heaven, you will see.

The Gift that God has given
Will be realized by us then.
For Christmas in Heaven
Is not just Christmas now and again.

There’ll be our Present, Jesus,
The blessed God of love,
Wrapped by the Holy Spirit
Tying ribbons as a dove.

Where it’s Christmas all the time
There won’t be any snow,
But there are wondrous streets of gold.
That’s where I want to go.

Where it’s Christmas all the time
Because there’s joy for you and me –
It isn’t on the earth
But in Heaven, you will see.

— Charles B. Mayes

Graphic: GospelGifs.com – copyrighted and used with permission.

As Christians, we are headed for an eternal Christmas in Heaven!

_______________________________________
As If Watching A Movie

Very Moving

“I just read ‘Mistaken Identity.’ It is very moving, and one of your best.” Joan M.-H., Muskogee, OK.

Complimentary in Faith

“Love your poetry writing! So complimentary in the common faith!” Chanel B., DE.

_______________________________________

This and other poems are available in a chapbook titled, A New Year Resolution and Other Poems (including The Missionaries) by Charles B. Mayes. It contains 22 poems. The foreword is written by Dr. P.T. Mammen, Senior Pastor of San Bruno (CA) International Christian Center.

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . .” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

If you would like to contact me, please fill out the Contact Form below. To request my free Christian readings by email, sent from time to time, please put the word “Follow” in the Comment section.

Thank you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ”As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)

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Posted on December 23, 2022 by farsails

A Wonderful Christmas This Year

A Wonderful Christmas This Year

The presents this year very few,
In fact, only one, maybe two,
But with His birthday here,
We will have Christmas cheer.
A wonderful Christmas this year.

A wonderful Christmas this year
Because there’s nothing to fear.
Long lines won’t matter,
Or traffic to clatter.
A wonderful Christmas this year.

The birth of the Savior,
The angels appear.
The shepherds adore Him.
The Wise men explore Him.
A wonderful Christmas this year.

Though told through the ages,
It’s still precious now.
Little Lord Jesus, we humbly bow.
For His birth grateful, we’re.
A wonderful Christmas this year.

When they looked at the sky above,
They saw the Star shine – His love.
We see stars bright, so clear,
Of His same love, so dear.
A wonderful Christmas this year.

To earth came the Son,
On the Cross it was finished,
No more to be done.
Our life becoming His mirror.
A wonderful Christmas this year.

And in our hearts
We know He’s appeared,
To bless each one,
To draw very near.
A wonderful Christmas this year.

A wonderful Christmas this year
Because there’s nothing to fear.
Long lines won’t matter,
Or traffic to clatter.
A wonderful Christmas this year.

— Charles B. Mayes

Graphic: GospelGifs.com – copyrighted and used with permission.

The birth of Jesus Christ is not just the “real meaning of Christmas.” It is the only meaning of Christmas. This year, no matter what your economy, Christmas is wonderful for each one of us because of what the angel told the shepherds (and us), “Do not be afraid . . . a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. ” [Holy Bible – Luke 2:10 (NIV)].

Thank you followers and welcome to those who stop by this website.

_______________________________________

Sharing in Sunday School

“I really enjoy your poetry. I will start sharing in my Sunday school classes.” Travis B., Asbury, WV.

_______________________________________

If you would like to use this poem on your website; in your newsletter; bulletin; speech; sermon; class; etc., you must indicate on the communication that the author is “Charles B. Mayes” and it is “Used by Permission”. If it is used on a website, please add our website address, or link to http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com or http://www.HisPoems.com.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ”As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)

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Posted on December 23, 2022December 23, 2022 by farsails

The Eve of Christmas Eve: A Reading in Three Acts

The Eve of
Christmas Eve:
A Reading in Three Acts

Since Christmas falls on Sunday
With Christmas Eve Service, too,
Might be tough on the folks –
That really won’t do.

Prologue –

There was something even better
Than Christmas Eve this year,
At the church down the road
With the pastors so dear.

It’s that big building.
That’s pretty old.
But a place where the Gospel
Is always lovingly told.

Since Christmas falls on Sunday
With Christmas Eve Service, too,
Might be tough on the folks –
That really won’t do.

Act 1 –

The morning of the Eve of Christmas Eve
Would set the stage just right,
For the awe inspiring program
Which would happen just tonight.

The children were all ready.
They’d memorized their parts.
They knew them so well.
They knew them all by heart.

kidz002

The technician adjusting slides
So sound would be OK,
And also make the lighting
Point exactly the right way.

Mrs. Jones was calling
Some persons she’d invited
To remind them to come
At 7:00 p.m., she’s excited.

This Pastor was praying
Upon his knees this morn’,
That tonight’s program
Would Jesus Christ adorn.

Now just before tonight,
Time for all to rest,
To make this Christmas Eve Eve
The very, very Best.

Act II –

The Eve of Christmas Eve
Was a very special night.
Each person attending
Showed exceptional delight.

First, it was carol time
To sing those old greats,
About the Birth of Jesus.
They could hardly wait.

Then the children filed in.
The place silent became.
A song about Jesus
The quiet night He came.

The Center was packed
With the children on stage.
Even the balcony full.
The congregation engaged.

This Pastor sat on a couch
By a framed stable scene,
Where he would narrate,
This holy night theme.

Mary and Joseph came out.
No room at the Inn.
No room for Jesus,
Where tonight’s story begins.

With deep feeling
This Brother did read
About the shepherds’ sight,
What they did see.

One child wearing a robe,
And staff in their hand,
Looked up – up – up high
Where the angels did stand.

Now time for a song
With piano so soft.
A solo is heard, clearly,
Even way up in the loft.

The children kneel and point
To the direction of West,
As this Minister told of the wise men
Who gifted their best.

And then the three boys,
Off, by stage left went.
Another way, than entering
From where they were sent.

Recitation – a poem.
When would she start?
But soon that powerful last line
“I can give Him my heart.”

This Preacher opened his Bible
And spoke with great zeal.
Birth – Life – Death – Resurrection.
Rebirth in Jesus, he appealed.

And then what happened
Was to everyone’s awe.
The front full – wise seekers,
Everyone saw.

To the world joy –
Melody to the ceiling ascends,
As one voice,
Everyone sang at the end.

Christmas Eve Eve –
What a very special night.
Children and audience –
All hearts Bright.

bell001s

Act III –

The Eve of Christmas Eve almost done,
The Lead Pastor came forward
To address the crowd
Before it was over.

This humble man of God,
Said that he cared
About this church
And why it was there.

He encouraged each
To follow their dream,
To use their talents for the Lord
As the children they’d seen.

Epilogue –

Following Christmas Eve Eve
All did linger longer,
Having sweet fellowship
With so much to Ponder.

— Charles B. Mayes

Graphics: GospelGifs.com – copyrighted and used with permission.

Today’s reading (poem) is much longer than usual and is based on a real situation of Christmas being on Sunday and the church wanting to have a Christmas Eve Service, so they decided to have it on the Friday evening before Christmas. Thus, the Eve of Christmas Eve!

I want to thank those who follow my website regularly – some for several years! Also I’m happy to have those who drop by from time to time. May God richly bless all of you!

See More Readings at http://www.ChristianPoetryPublishing.com or http://www.HisPoems.com.

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . ” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

If you would like to receive my free Christian poetry reading emails from time to time, fill out the Contact Form below with the word “Follow.”

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com -” ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)
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Posted on December 22, 2022 by farsails

The Old and New

The Old and New

2 Corinthians 5:17

The Old Year dwindles
As the sunset’s afterglow.
The New Year bursts forth
As the sunrise’s bright flow.

The Old Life vanishes
As a snuffed candle’s smoke.
The New Life in Christ appears
As a blazing candle uncloaked.

— Charles B. Mayes

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” [Holy Bible – 2 Corinthians 5:17 – NIV]

Happy New Year!

You can also find ChristianPoetryPublishing.com from HisPoems.com and from WordsOnTheWay.com.

_______________________________________

Impressed

“I just read to my husband your ‘Old and New’ poem. I am so impressed by your beautiful poetry.” Debra L. – Gilroy, CA

_______________________________________

If you would like to receive my free Christian poetry reading emails from time to time, fill out the Contact Form below with the word “Follow.”

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . .” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ”As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)

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Posted on January 1, 2022January 4, 2022 by farsails

Christmas Is Finally Over!

Christmas Is Finally Over!

Luke 2:20

Christmas is finally over!
Now you can go back to normal –
To “regular scheduled programming.”
Away from this Yuletide formal.

No listening to Christmas songs
Ad nauseam that noisily swell,
At the grocery store,
Like “Come On Ring Those Bells.”

Your eyes won’t be hurt
As you try to drive at night
By those overdone gaudy
Christmas lights.

Don’t forget the political news
That captures the airwaves –
Left, Center, Right and Between,
All that socially saves.

On Facebook,
Comments about polite posts again,
Making snide mocking remarks,
No more good will toward men.

As you walk by today
No irritating high-pitched bell
Rung by the Red Kettle person
Raising Heaven.

Christmas is really over!
You don’t have to go back to normal.
You can continue praising God
Even after this Yuletide formal.

— Charles B. Mayes

Graphic: RobinHiggins – pixabay.com

I hope that my satirical poem helps us remember to think about Christmas all year and to continue praising God!

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Holy Bible – Luke 2:20 – NIV)

Happy New Year!

_______________________________________ Announcement:
ChristianPoetryPublishing.com now has a new connected website – HisPoems.com.
HisPoems.com is a way to get to ChristianPoetryPublishing.com more quickly. It also makes it easier for you to tell people about the site. But no matter what, we are still here to serve you at ChristianPoetryPublishing.com.

_______________________________________
As If Watching A Movie

Very Moving

“I just read ‘Mistaken Identity.’ It is very moving, and one of your best.” Joan M.-H., Muskogee, OK.

Complimentary in Faith

“Love your poetry writing! So complimentary in the common faith!” Chanel B., DE.

_______________________________________

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . ” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

If you would like to purchase a copy of the above book, please fill out the form below and I will get back to you with the description, price, payment, and mailing arrangements.

Thank you!

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ” ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)
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Posted on December 29, 2021 by farsails

Can We Make It Through Christmas?

Can We Make It Through Christmas?

I Thessalonians 5:18

Christmas is here again.
Can we make it through?
A lot of things to think of.
A lot of things to do.

As we are some older
And the children moved away.
Should we travel there
Or could they come to stay?

Presents to buy.
Presents to wrap.
The tree to put up.
Need to take a nap.

Cookies in the pantry.
Turkey in the frig.
Pies in the freezer.
Ready for this gig.

Our kids arrive
And grandchildren, too.
Then the drudgery
Turns into debut.

The oldest one, Sara,
Is asked to read the Story
About when Jesus came
And left His glory.

Hands held.
It’s time for the blessing.
Thanking God.
We are not distressing!

Christmas is here again.
Can we make it through?
A lot of things to think of.
A lot of things to do.

— Charles B. Mayes

Graphic: dandelion_tea – pixabay.com

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (Holy Bible – I Thessalonians 5:18 – NIV)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

_______________________________________
As If Watching A Movie

Very Moving

“I just read ‘Mistaken Identity.’ It is very moving, and one of your best.” Joan M.-H., Muskogee, OK.

Complimentary in Faith

“Love your poetry writing! So complimentary in the common faith!” Chanel B., DE.

_______________________________________

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . ” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

If you would like to purchase a copy of the above book, please fill out the form below and I will get back to you with the description, price, payment, and mailing arrangements.

Thank you!

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ” ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)
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Posted on December 23, 2021December 29, 2021 by farsails

No Christmas Without You

No Christmas Without You

Luke 2:6-7

There would be no Christmas without You
In spite of this time of the year –
No sights or sounds of the season,
Without You it would be drear.

No tree in the living room.
No presents in place.
No music from the MP3.
Only dreams we would chase.

Over 2,000 years ago
A baby in a manger.
You were born in Bethlehem
For all a life changer.

From a throne You came
To a humble barn,
Loved by Joseph and Mary
Holding You safely in arms.

One day You’re rejected,
Killed for the sins of humankind,
Rising from the dead, glorious,
Opening the hearts of the blind.

There would be no Christmas without You.
In spite of this time of the year –
No sights or sounds of the season,
Without You it would be drear.

— Charles B. Mayes

Graphic: kassoum_kone- pixabay.com

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” (Holy Bible – Luke 2:6-7 – NIV)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

_______________________________________
As If Watching A Movie

Very Moving

“I just read ‘Mistaken Identity.’ It is very moving, and one of your best.” Joan M.-H., Muskogee, OK.

Complimentary in Faith

“Love your poetry writing! So complimentary in the common faith!” Chanel B., DE.

_______________________________________

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . ” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

If you would like to purchase a copy of the above book, please fill out the form below and I will get back to you with the description, price, payment, and mailing arrangements.

Thank you!

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ” ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)
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Posted on December 21, 2021December 29, 2021 by farsails

An Unopened Christmas Card

An Unopened Christmas Card

Proverbs 17:17

An unopened Christmas card
From his beloved peer,
Address fading and tear tinted,
Sat on his mantel for three years.

He touched it
From time to time
In a slow gentle pensive way,
Tempted to open at Christmastime.

His intense heartache:
His as-long-as-he-could-remember buddy
Became ill and passed before Christmas.
So this procrastination he could not amend.

But THIS Christmas morning,
He was excited, wholly.
Heart racing with trembling hands,
He opened it slowly.

“I’m ready to go to Heaven.
You are the best friend
A person could ever have.”
That’s what he’d penned.

Inside a small inserted prayer.
He read it again. He read it again.
His pal had spent his life that way.
The meaning sinking in:

“Lord,
Help me remember that nothing
Is going to happen to me today
That you and I together can’t handle.
— Old preacher’s greeting to a new day”

Placing the Christmas card on the mantel
He was overcome with gladness.
Thinking: “What a wonderful friend!”
Gone was his grief. Gone was his sadness!

— Charles B. Mayes

Graphic: Satheeshsankaran – pixabay.com

“Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble” [Holy Bible-Proverbs 17:17-MSG]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

_______________________________________
As If Watching A Movie

Very Moving

“I just read ‘Mistaken Identity.’ It is very moving, and one of your best.” Joan M.-H., Muskogee, OK.

Complimentary in Faith

“Love your poetry writing! So complimentary in the common faith!” Chanel B., DE.

_______________________________________

” . . . creative energy evidenced through every line . . ” – Dr. P.T. Mammen

If you would like to purchase a copy of the above book, please fill out the form below and I will get back to you with the description, price, payment, and mailing arrangements.

Thank you!

ChristianPoetryPublishing.com – ” ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ ” (Holy Bible – Acts 17:28)
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Posted on December 21, 2021December 29, 2021 by farsails

christianpoetrypublishing

to rally 'round – a little closer to Heaven

christianpoetrypublishing

Category: New Year

Greeting 2023

Where It’s Christmas All The Time

A Wonderful Christmas This Year

The Eve of Christmas Eve: A Reading in Three Acts

The Old and New

Can We Make It Through Christmas?

No Christmas Without You

An Unopened Christmas Card