2018:THE ROAD BEFORE US

The course of life is like a race
And every man is on the team
The valleys or its mountaintops
Are strewn with obstacles between.

Decisions come in various ways
And are the signs that mark the path
But only those who rightly choose
Can see the value of their task.

Some find the race too burdensome
While others seek escape from pain
But only those who follow strong
Will not have run their race in vain.

There is a road each man must take
And only two around each bend
There’s one that leads to Heaven’s Shore
The other to a Christless end.
B. Pent

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

O God of Love, we stand amazed
That One so pure in radiant Light
Should stoop to offer saving grace
To our rebellious human race.

O Lamb of God how can it be
That flesh should clothe Your Deity
And birth from Mary's womb, a Plan
Your Blood, the Gift, for sinful man!

O Breath of God, Whose Spirit fills
The barrenness of our human heart
Remove all dross, ignite the flame
That we might glorify Your Name!

O Church of God, the hour's near
The Bridegroom soon will call us Home!
Proclaim His Word, we soon shall meet
To cast our crowns at Jesus' feet!
Ben Pent
 

THE GIFT

A thousand gifts may come your way
To bring you joy this Christmas day
With brilliant lights around the tree
For every boy and girl to see.
Yet if you miss the One who came
There is no joy that will remain.

Sweet carols fill the ethereal sky
Like angel choirs once sang on high
Of peace on earth to every man
While Christmas memories fill the land.
But fear can tear the life apart
If Christ no longer rules the heart.

As busy shoppers seek to find
The perfect gift with love in mind
A voice breaks through life’s empty space
"Give Christ a chance to fill its place!"
For if you fail to crown Him King
There is no lasting peace within.

God’s greatest Gift came down to earth
So we can have redemption’s birth
He is enough, so please take heed
Receive His Son, that’s all you need.
Then you will find fulfilled in Him
Life’s deepest joy without, within!
B. Pent

THE INNKEEPER

The Keeper missed it all!
It was a busy time, you know
With weary travelers needing rest
The Inn was full, he did his best.

The knock seemed out of place
"No vacancy" was clear to all
There was no room left anywhere
For Nazareth folk for him to share.

A noise was heard next door!
The lowing sheep and cattle stall
Was found to be the only place
For God's dear Son to find a space.

The Virgin soon gave birth
Upon a dirty stable floor
The Baby's cry was heard that night
While angels bathed the earth in light.

The Keeper missed it all!
The promised King had come to earth!
Had he but known, would he have shared
Some little space? Would he have cared?

Yet Christmas comes again
And yuletide music fills the air
Stop long enough to hear His voice
He knocks and waits! Make Him your choice.
B. Pent

THE STAR APPEARED

The star appeared! The Eastern sky
Burst from its lair as if to shout:
"A Light has dawned! The Day is come!
Prepare the way to birth a Son!"

Before the ages came to be
Eternal plans were set in place
The prophets had foretold His Birth
God's special Gift to men on earth.

The Virgin Mary then was told
That Deity would fill her womb
The Word in flesh became a Son
Emanuel, the promised One!

The shepherds heard the angels sing
That Jesus was that new born King!
Then wise men later saw the star
And came to worship from afar.

"Behold the Lamb of God!" claimed John
Whose blood took on the sinner's curse
Is now the offer of His grace
To every child of Adam's race.

The Star of David is that Light
Who is the Source of truth and life
"Come unto Me" He calls today
He'll walk beside you all the way.
B. Pent