Blink, yawn
At day’s dawn
or night’s greeting
Stretching, moving
Heartbeat and breath
Gathering the moment
God lightly
Touches our head
As to a beloved child
Swing high
Embracing wholeness
Gentle firmness, comfort guiding
Charlotte-Anne Allen
It was the time of the night
When we reach out our hands
To the One who is Lord of all
It was the time of the night
When we seek His touch
As a child held safe and warm
It was the time of the night
When we call out His name
From a heart of need or want
It was the time of the night
When we see how great
Is the One who gave His life
It was the time of the night
When we know God’s care
And hope has room to grow
It was the time of the night
When weary spirits can lift
For light… God’s love for us
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Quiet eve, our heads we lay
Bid adieu to busy day
Cool air stirs, refreshes brow
Soothing chords calm and still us now
Pause, listen, feel soul deep
God’s faithful presence, us safely keep
In such moments, mute our mind’s roar
Peaceful welcome for which to soar
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Stars twinkle at end of day
Sleepy “night-night” we might say
Stretch and yawn, now time to rest
When our body’s tired and we’ve done our best
Looking to the sky above
We ponder the day and of God’s love
Softly, deeply settles night’s velvety touch
We release our load to One who cares so much
“Night-night,” the call of one who trusts
Wrapped, comforted, snuggled safe from gusts
Though turbulence seeks to threaten our calm
God’s love and compassion cover us with His balm.
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Eyes to see
Yonder stars shining
Even when clouds gather
So, turning my head to heavens above
Every day, now fill me
Yes, with lifted arms to God
Each brings a promise of hope
Sing, sweet Light, and fill our souls
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Waxing waning
Nighttime’s herald
Growing learning
Tasks to do
Reflecting thinking
Drawing forth
In season’s call
With solar dance
Labor completion
bringing forth
Looking seeing
Strengthening resting
So is life
In bright parade
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Starry gaze through inky black
Moon’s beams peek ‘round clouds’ edge
Night settles upon the land
Sighing whispers of day’s farewell
Turn from bright glare of urban lights
That blink in disregard of rural calm
Go now to your quiet place
Far from bustle and clangs
Rocking slowly, now ease your mind
… Night calls softly to welcome rest
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Velvety night calms and sooths
Softly touching after day’s turn
Star lights twinkle …are peeking
Through wisps of drifting clouds
Summer’s warmth lingers
Slowly giving way to cool surrender
Night creatures call out …now seeking
Distant and mournful, or sharply alerting
And so, we draw breath in and out
Somehow more finely tuned to body and earth
Filled and quietly resting …not speaking
Bathed in moon’s soft shine
Velvety night brings comfort
Contemplating, in God’s calm presence
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Bright stars piercing the night with their clarity
Or shimmering through tree branches and distant cloud
What vastness and might you speak of!
What awesome power and beauty!
We look, we behold such majesty
Mind does not contain
The works of our Creator
And His great love for us
Stretch our arms wide
We who stand below in our smallness
Securely wrapped in the arms of God
Bright stars showing us His splendor
Christmastime! For me, no matter what the year had brought or what the circumstances may have been, the songs of Christmas brought renewal and anticipation. “O Holy Night” … “Silent Night, Holy Night” … They are reminders of the “holy one” which the angel foretold of to Mary, this baby who grew to show us the way and to bring us hope (*Luke 1:35).
Holy, special, set apart, belonging to God. The words and songs bring to heart and mind the mystery and awe of God and of coming before Him in worship and praise. Can you imagine it? Can you see and hear the story unfolding on that holy night?!
And the angels rejoiced at the birth of His Son to a world so in need of him. Like the shepherds drawn to the stable and the wise men who came from distant lands, we are drawn to that baby, Jesus. The light of that star is the light we too seek.
O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth…
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
The holiness of God. The holiness of that night. The holiness of infant Jesus, God’s Son, Emmanuel (*Matthew 1:23). When the world is dark and cold. Emmanuel. When the sun rises fresh and bright. Emmanuel. When we miss loved ones. Emmanuel. When the lights of Christmas shine. Emmanuel…
I am thankful for that holy infant Jesus, who came to us on a dark night. When I struggle with doubts and fears or am feeling worn or alone or afraid, the events of Jesus’ birth are welcome reminders of God’s holiness and presence. When joy and happiness surround me from family and friends and awesome new life, the Christmas story draws me into the life of that other family so long ago.
May the light of that star and the events of that story draw you too to our holy God and bring you comfort and peace.
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Luke 1:35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. NIV
Matthew 1:23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” NRSV
Charlotte-Anne Allen
12/20/2020
