Remembrance
I remember as if it were yesterday
I heard the elderly, gray-haired lady say…
Just a little girl but I saw my world from outside sitting in the yard…
The rooster crowed and the chickens clucked, eating bugs they found in the dirt…
Hot sunny days playing in the woods; get a spank’n if granny finds out
Friends and neighbors meandering about…
My uncle’s dog Jab-owe, lying on the porch, scratching and licking, no worries, clock tick’n
Granny in the kitchen, cooking fried chicken
Brother’s home from school, sister hugging granny’s leg…me I was so happy my brother was home…even though he didn’t want me pestering him, “Go on, and leave me alone!”
Work day done, Mama’s home…
Supper-time, granny chimed…
Tiny house we all gathered round…
Say the blessing, heads bowed waiting for the sound
God is great; God is good, let us thank him for our food, amen!
The elderly lady looked up from her keyboard and thought…
I remember as if it were yesterday…
~M. S. O’Neill November 27, 2017
He is the Reason
He is the reason; I live, and move, and have my being
He is the reason I keep on believing…
He is the reason; I sing and rejoice, celebrating His Holy Birth; my choice
He is the reason for jubilance and hurrah’s; He is of royal worth; applause
He is the twinkling light, giving hope and peace and joy, on that holy night…
He is the frankincense, gold and myrrh; He is the fragrance of my life…
He is the scent of pine and snow; plowing down enemies wherever He goes…
He is the Star; leading wise men, near, and far…
He is the gift; God’s only Son, given on Christmas day…
He is the reason for peace and love, always!
~M.S. O’Neill November 27, 2017
Matthew 2:10-11 Good News Translation (GNT)
And so they left, and on their way they saw the same star they had seen in the East. When they saw it, how happy they were, what joy was theirs! It went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They went into the house, and when they saw the child with his mother Mary, they knelt down and worshiped him. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to him.
What if…
All I want for Christmas…
World peace?
Good-will to all men?
What if Christmas-peace began in a small town?
Where warmth and love and joy abounds
All wrapped up in a blanket…
A new born babe was found…
Where strangers were met by angels unaware
Bringing joy and good news, their voices declare
Behold the Savior of the world!
He is the reason we celebrate!
Giving, out of love, it’s not too late…
Christmas jingles and lights galore…
Santa and elves we all adore…
But somewhere in a tiny town
A babe was born, which Mary bore…
Shepherds came to see the child,
But not to buy in a department store…
But to share the joy of Christ the Lord!
The son of God waits patiently…
Graciously and humbly
While…
We rush about in holiday stress…
One more toy, party, suit, and dress…
All I want for Christ-mas…
Telling Santa, all of this…
But where, oh, where, is Jesus?
What if…
Christmas was holy, full of peace and joy…
Filling the hearts of every man, woman, girl, and boy?
~M. S. O’Neill November 26, 2017
Luke 2:8-14 New King James Version (NKJV) Glory in the Highest
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 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. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a 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, goodwill toward men!”
The Surprise
A little girl of five, was standing in line to meet the man in red…
Looking over at the little boy of six, said,
What’s your wish?
The little boy of six, with big brown eyes, looked at her and was quite surprised 
He stared into the angelic face, waiting for his reply…
Oh, I’m not here to make a wish, I’m here to tell this man in red,
That God is real and He’s not dead…
It’s not about wishes I make, or gifts given, or gifts we take…
Years ago, a story can be read in Luke of the Bible, this is what it said…
A babe is born in Bethlehem, angels rejoiced with shepherd’s keeping their sheep
The baby wrapped in swaddling clothes while Mary watched him sleep…
Peace, good-will, to all the earth, it’s all about the Christ Child’s birth…
The little girl of five, eyes wide, clapped her hands with glee
Oh thank you for sharing, your story here with me…
You see,
My wish was going to be…
That God would send a message to the man in red, while I sat upon his knee
That would change his life and set him free…
For that man is my daddy!
~M.S. O’Neill November 24, 2017
Luke 2:5-16 King James Version (KJV) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
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.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Mother’s Song
Heart beat
Deep within her womb
Rhythmic music to the soul
Comforting and unafraid
I am…
Resting in the stillness
Surrounded by great love
my protection
Life flow
I grow
Her gentle song
I hear…
Keep my baby strong.
~M.S. O’Neill November 20, 2017
Ancient One
It’s my turn
Life is Oh so short…
Upon this place of dirt and rocks
Water, snow and hills,
Stand fast…
Soon and very soon
I’ll end my toil and tasks
To come and live with you
That’s all my Lord, I ask…
~M.S. O’Neill 11/20/15
Almost Home
Upon your withered brow
Wisdom shows
The hoary head
And tattered clothes
Bent, you humbly bow
Signs of the journey
Life has brought you through
Chosen wisely you have tread
You’ve given your life away
At life’s end there’s no regrets
None you need repay…
All to the I Am…
Your heart, mind and soul
Made everlasting love
Your eternal goal…
Walk on my child, take joy and know
You’re journey’s soon complete
A few more steps in this old world,
Home will be so sweet…
~M.S. O’Neill November 20, 2015
The Better Part
Luke 10:41-42 New International Version (NIV) “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
With the holiday season upon us, it’s easy to become irritated, frustrated, “unglued” frantic even…so much to do, and already stretched beyond elasticity…what to do? What to do?
Take a deep breath, exhale, and just relax a moment.
I’m sure Martha felt the same way. She had the Master over for dinner and other important people were attending, along with family and friends…
The turkey had to be baked, the potatoes mashed, the pies prepared, the cookies and candies for the grandchildren with special icing and sprinkles made for each one …the floor needed mopping, last-minute groceries to be bought, flowers arranged, a little gift for each one, no time. She thought, I just can’t do it all in time…and Mary was sitting doing what?
First things first…
Listen, there is only one thing that is needed and that is to sit quietly at the feet of the Master and hear from him. You’ll be at peace with yourself and then with others. Just breathe and let his calm rest within your mind and your heart. With your eyes on him, your heart tuned to his words, you will find His joy that will help you face any task any situation with a steady, positive, competent response. No worry, no rushing about, no concern for who is, or who is not helping you…
In the presence of Jesus your spirit will become refreshed and alert and capable of doing anything because you spent time with Him first. This is the better part!
Take some time as you hurry about and stop, breathe, and sit, a little while in the presence of Jesus, you will be so glad you did!
Happy Thanksgiving!
~M.S. O’Neill November 20, 2017
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