A Gift For God.......annual Christmas repost

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Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 2001-12-08 10:53 PM

I laid the presents out with care beneath the Christmas tree
To make sure everyone had something there - including me!
But, as I checked the names off, there was something rather odd....
Oh, no! I realized there was no gift for God!

I mean, there wouldn't be a Christmas if not for the birth
Of His son, Jesus, who was born to bring peace to this earth.
Seemed only fitting there should be at least some gift displayed
To recognize the blessing and the sacrifice He made.

But what does one give God? I couldn't think of anything
That Sears or Wal-Mart had in stock to be fit for a king
But I would gift wrap something, though symbolic it would be
With hopes that He would recognize my deep sincerity.

I had no time right then, however. I flew out the door
To get down to the church where we had meals for the poor.
Downtrodden souls whose lives did not turn out as they had planned,
And it felt quite rewarding when we filled a needy hand.

From there, right to the orphanage we flew with bags of toys
To cheers and shouts of glee from all the homeless girls and boys.
Young hands tore wrappers off their gifts in wild anticipation
As "Ooooh"'s and "Aaaahh"'s and shining eyes made quite a celebration.

Just one more stop to make - down to the rest home for the aged.
Our small choir sang so beautifully we could have been on stage
From room to room, our voices rang with carols and with hymns
For those who knew that very soon they would be there with Him.

The evening finally ended. I rushed home as fast I could.
The father being late for Christmas wouldn't be too good
My children whooped and hollered from the second I walked in.
I raised my hands and grandly said, "Let's let the fun begin!"

Oh, what a night we had! Wrap paper scattered left and right
While boxes were torn open with loud squeals of delight.
Bug hugs for Mom and Daddy - thanks to Santa, naturally
Then off to bed for youngsters and, at last, tranquility.

My wife prepared herself for bed. I walked out in the yard.
Some puzzling thought was in my mind that got me thinking hard.
Oh, no! It was the gift for God - the thing I hadn't got.
With all the rushing around, it was the one thing I forgot!

I raised my face up meekly as if in apology.
The brilliance of the stars shone down and almost blinded me.
I stood there silent for a bit then gently raised my hands
To ask for His forgiveness. Somehow I think He understands.

inot2B
Member Elite

since 2000-09-18

Posts 2205
Arkansas

1 posted 2001-12-08 11:01 PM

Beautifully done! You do have the heart of an angel.

Justbleu
Member Elite

since 1999-08-31

Posts 3329
Oregon, Originally From Alaska :)

2 posted 2001-12-08 11:04 PM

Oh 'Deer, this is wonderful....I think he knew don't you???

Thanks for the yearly reminder......and Merry Christmas!!!!
HUGS!!!!!

Bridgette

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

3 posted 2001-12-08 11:11 PM

Balladeer, YOU are amazing!
And, this is an incredible write!
Thanks for the repost.....
And, a blessed Christmas to you and yours.
~Hugs, Nancy~

"A dream is a wish your heart makes..."

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

4 posted 2001-12-08 11:47 PM

(big hugggsssssss) Oh my gosh, this is sooooooo beautiful, sweet Balladeer, this is sooooooo touching! (sigh) The blessings and love of God is the greatest gift He could ever have, and you give him the most beautiful gift He could ever want, the love of your golden heart! (sigh) God Bless You, sweet friend, may you have the happiest holidays and a very merry Christmas! (big huggsssssss) We all love you so much, sweet friend! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Balladeer, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Honeybee
Member Ascendant

since 1999-12-26

Posts 5372
Ontario, CANADA

5 posted 2001-12-09 12:24 PM

This is beautiful!

Melissa~

"Poetry is not an opinion expressed...
it is a song that rises from a bleeding
wound...or a smiling mouth"

~Kahlil Gibran~

Marsha

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-07-10

Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England

6 posted 2001-12-09 12:45 PM

'Deer dear heart, Well you've done it again, this is utterly utterly fabulous. it is truly wonderful. The story made me cry, again, (Okay, please can I have a humorous one next, to balance it out) I know some people can cry and their eyes look just like a field of bluebells washed clean by the summer rain. But mine however don't I end up with red eyes and blotchy in the face, this is not an attractive look.

This is of course all nonsense this poem is beautifully written and utterly wonderful, I love it, I still have a personal preference for No Tree For Muffy but this is still an excellent write.

In fact a very suitable gift for HIM, you have an abundance of talent and you share it with us. Thank you muchly. Truly fabulous writing.

Love and warm stuff
As Always
Mushy

To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace St John ch2 v1

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

7 posted 2001-12-09 12:52 PM

Gifts of hope and tenderness
wrapped up tight with love,
that is what your heart gives,
for that is where the spirit
of the holiday season lives.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

8 posted 2001-12-09 06:45 AM

Somehow I feel God always understands how a man like you can turn His hand...and turn His word, into something very special...a very special piece, I'm glad He didn't let you forget to post this Christmas Keeper...

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-11-08

Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

9 posted 2001-12-09 07:24 AM

In awe, always
Liz

SmartChick
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-09-23

Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown

10 posted 2001-12-09 07:03 PM

I love it Balladeer. This is just wonderful.
Thank you for sharing it.

Siofra

Senior Member

since 2000-09-28

Posts 551
State of Suspended Passion

11 posted 2001-12-09 10:38 PM

Seems to me the gift to God were given by doing such wonderful works that were described here in this poem.

I love this, Sir.

I am many.

Startime
Member Ascendant

since 2000-10-03

Posts 5918
Canada

12 posted 2001-12-09 10:59 PM

I LOVE IT!!!! I LOVE IT!!A special kiss for the Balladeer with his talented pen. **hugs**

Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

Irish Rose
Member Patricius

since 2000-04-06

Posts 10263

13 posted 2001-12-09 11:15 PM

This is special.
Merry Christmas, Michael.

Kathleen (Kay)
"When red-haired girls scamper like roses over the rain-green grass, and the sun drips honey."
Laurie Lee

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

14 posted 2001-12-09 11:38 PM

inot2B..thank you, kind lady!

justbleu...yes, I think so, too

Merry Christmas to you, too

Nancy...thank you! Christmas blessings to you and yours

Noah...I thank you for such wonderful praise and may you have a wonderful holiday season!

Melissa...even though it's written by a man?

Love ya!

Mushy Lady...Muffy will be along shortly. Thank you, dearheart. May the tears continue to flow

midnitesun...amen to that!

Sunshine...yep, He reminded me...and has blessed me with friends like you

Elizabeth..an awe that I share for you

SmartChick...and thank you for enjoying it. You are the reason I write

Siofra...yes, you picked up on that excellently. Thank you!

Startime...thank you, Karen. I'll take that kiss happily!

Kathleen..thank you very much and a very Merry Christmas to you!

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