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 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

MYSTERY MOMENTS

Mystery moments are the gemstones

That are found by searching hearts

Digging deep within the mine shafts

Of God's Word in all its parts.

Genesis through Revelation

Holds the key each wonder shares

From the mystery of creation

To God's call from earthly cares.

Eden's mystery tells the story

Of the chasm caused by sin

And the promise of a Savior

That would offer peace within.

Priest and prophets shared their vision

Of Messiah's virgin birth

Of His death and resurrection

His return again to earth.

Yet the story most intriguing

Is the mystery of the Church

His indwelling holy Presence

With its waiting Bride on earth.

Heaven's Bridegroom is the Savior

Who laid down His life for you

You can have a mystery moment

If you trust the Savior too.

B. Pent

THE EMPTY THRONE

The trumpet alerted the angels to come

To gather together before the White Throne

The Father announced a miraculous plan

That Jesus would take on the flesh of a man.

Amazement and wonder were seen in their eyes

A virgin would birth heaven's infinite Prize

The ones who were chosen to break the Good News

Appeared to some shepherds, the lowliest of Jews.

“All Glory to God!” was the theme of their song

Lasting peace, was the Gift awaited so long

Emanuel’s coming to Bethlehem's stall

Was God's only Son with salvation for all.

The shepherds and magi who worshiped this King

Saw Him as Messiah; their freedom He'd bring

The path from the stable was marked by a cross

They did not see then, how much it would cost!

While angels rejoiced at the birth of God's Son

Redemption for man through His death would be won

Each sinner partaking the Savior's new birth

Brings praise from the angels in heaven and earth.

B. Pent

IN HIS PRESENCE

Holy Father, in your Presence

Where all pretense flees from sight

Free the guilt of sin that binds me

Bathe me in Shekinah Light.

Holy Jesus torn asunder

For my sin Your blood atone

Let the crimson Fountain wash me

Offering praise to You alone.

Holy Spirit fill this vessel

Let pure worship flood each part

So in joyful, glad surrender

All true praise flows from my heart.

Holy is the ground I stand on

Sweetest praise I offer now

Lifting heart-filled adoration

Jesus Lord before You bow.

B. Pent

HOME AT LAST!

The clock of time that filled my days

With gifts of pain combined with praise

Were heaven's thorns to lead my path

To where sweet flowers always last.

Paintings of birds and boats off shore

The home I've loved, I've traded for

The sounds and sights beyond compare

A place my Savior planned with care.

I heard the songs the angels sing

I felt the stirring of their wings

I wish you could have seen that sight

While heading Home; my upward flight!

I saw the lights within the Gate

The call to come! I could not wait!

For in the endless arms of grace

I felt a welcome to that Place.

The curse of death has been removed

All tears have ceased to flow today

Now in the presence of the King

I have no need for anything.

--B. Pent

COMMUNICATING GOD'S LOVE

(Through the lens of I Corinthians 13)

If I could speak with the tongues

   of impeccable elocution and oratorical perfection

   but fail to communicate

I'm a tool of confusion and a threat to dialogue.

Though I master the English language

   reflecting the eloquence of Cicero

   or capturing a breath of Shakespearean splendor

And though I have faith

   the mountains of verbal and non-verbal prejudice be removed 

   but don't lovingly communicate, I'll get nowhere!

If I share my knowledge with the ignorant

   and spend a lifetime delivering flowery speeches

   but don't communicate,

I haven't gained a thing.

Actually, communicating with people begins:

   with patience – learning the art of good listening

   with kindness – not rudely interrupting.

Never forcing your own ideas 

        or repelling the opinion of others.

Effective communication shows up:

   in accepting people for who they are

   in listening to what is said

        without making them feel stupid for bringing it up

And empathetically trying to understand their feelings.

Communication shows real concern:

   when someone else is talking

   is glad when a constructive idea is presented

And works toward a correct syllogism

     through a mutual exchange of ideas.

Communication involves:

   pooling all suggested ideas

   recognizing individual effort in the process

   being sensitive to the Spirit's timing in concluding the matter.

Real communication never ends:

   as for poor attitudes 

       they will hinder and break down communication

   as for catchy phrases or vague generalities 

       they will not hold up

   as for meaningless cliches – they will fade away.

My words, thoughts and actions since childhood

   are but faint memories now that I'm maturing

   even though I tend to see issues 

        through the mirrored reflections of selfishness

But with God's help change is possible!

Now I only piece the communication puzzle as I see it

   but in time I'll understand it better

   just as God perfectly understands

   and lovingly communicates to me.

So then:

   correct words may influence the mind

   and patiently sharing, can motivate the listener

   but only loving communication can change a life.

--B. Pent