POEMS TEACHING ON THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

By Maurice Dyson

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A Child Is Born
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor,
The Mighty God, The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

A priest named Zacharias of the course of Abijah,
Was serving in the temple as a priest.
He had a wife, Elizabeth, a child of Aaron’s line,
Whose hope of bearing sons had all but ceased.
The man and wife were blameless in their walk before the Lord;
They kept the law of Moses, as was right.
Now while he burned the incense as the custom of his lot,
There suddenly appeared an awesome sight.

An angel of the Lord was standing by the altar side.
The people were outside engaged in prayer.
Now when he saw the angel he was troubled in his heart,
For such a thing was quite uncommon there.
The angel reassured him, Zacharias, do not fear,
Your prayer is heard: your wife will bear a son.
And you will have great joy and gladness; many will rejoice;
The name which you shall call your son is John.

For he shall be a great one in the standing of the Lord;
Partaking not of liquor nor of wine.
And from his day of birth when he emerges from the womb,
His being shall be filled by One divine.
For he will turn the children, many sons of Israel,
Unto the Lord their God, as days of old;
And he will go before Him like Elijah came and spoke;
Proclaiming forth the message he was told.

But Zacharias could not see how this was possible:
My wife and I are both advanced in years!
The angel who was Gabriel did not give further light.
But disapproved him for his groundless fears.
Behold, you shall be speechless till these things have taken place;
Since you did not believe my very word.
I brought you these glad tidings from the presence of the Lord;
You shall be dumb until this has occurred.
 
The people marvelled that he stayed so long within God’s house;
And when he came outside he could not speak.
He beckoned to them indicating what had taken place;
They recognised he’d seen something unique.
Now when his days of service at the temple were complete,
He went back to his home; his term relieved.
It happened shortly afterwards just as the angel said,
His ageing wife Elizabeth conceived.

She hid herself away because she said within her heart,
The Lord has dealt so graciously with me;
Removing that reproach which is the common view towards
A childless woman in society.
Now in the sixth month Gabriel was sent to Nazareth;
A city in the hills of Galilee.
Unto a virgin Mary, one espoused unto a man
Called Joseph, born of David’s family.

He gave a friendly greeting as he came into the home,
And told her she was blessed among her peers.
But Mary was perplexed when he appeared and spoke this way,
Considering these words which reached her ears.
Now do not be afraid, he said, aware of her reserve,
For God has highly favoured you with grace.
Behold, you shall conceive and bear a Son within your womb;
And God shall give to Him the highest place.

For you shall call Him Jesus; He shall reign for evermore;
And of His kingdom there shall be no end.
Then Mary said, How can this be, I do not know a man?
For such a thing she could not comprehend.
The angel then explained to her how this would come about:
The Holy Spirit will abide on you;
And He shall overshadow you with His almighty power,
And you shall bear the Holy One and True.
 
Elizabeth, your relative, is also with a son;
Conceiving at an age considered old.
And it is now six months for her who never could conceive;
For God can do things otherwise untold.
Then Mary answered, Let it be according to your word;
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
Then after she had spoken this the angel went away;
And Mary had her confidence restored.

So Mary rose up in those days and went along with haste,
And visited Elizabeth, her kin.
Now when she heard the greeting call of Mary in her ears,
It caused the babe to leap for joy within.
Elizabeth spoke boldly by the Spirit of the Lord:
You are a woman who is greatly blest;
And blessed is the fruit that is proceeding from your womb.
So both of them extolled their joyful rest.

And Mary stayed about three months then went back to her house.
Elizabeth’s full time was imminent.
Then as the Lord had told her so she gave birth to a son;
Her friends rejoiced with her at this event.
They took the child for circumcision as the Law demands;
And would have given him his father’s name.
His mother answered them and said, He shall be known as John.
They said, There is no relative the same.

They made signs to his father as to what he should be called.
He signalled for a stone on which to write.
He wrote on it the following: The infant’s name is John.
They marvelled as the words came into sight.
Immediately his tongue was loosed; he spoke with words of praise;
And fear came on those dwelling in those parts.
These sayings were discussed throughout the regions of Judea;
And all who heard retained them in their hearts.
 
It came to pass in those days that a census was decreed;
And Joseph went to Bethlehem, Judea.
And Mary also went with him, now well advanced with Child;
The time of her deliverance was near.
And so she was delivered while they stayed there at the town;
And gave birth to her firstborn Son, the Lord.
She wrapped Him up in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a trough;
Because there was no place for them to board.

Now there were in the countryside some shepherds keeping watch;
Who kept a guard upon their flocks at night.
And all at once an angel stood and glory shone around;
Which gave these shepherd men an awful fright.
Now do not be afraid, he said, I bring you joyful news;
Good tidings unto all that are abroad.
For unto you is born in David’s city on this day,
A Saviour who indeed is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign to you: for you will find the babe
In linen cloths and lying in a stall.
Then suddenly a multitude of heavenly host appeared,
Extolling God as Ruler over all.
So when the angels went away, the shepherds all agreed,
Now let us go and see this special thing.
They went with haste to Bethlehem and found the couple there;
And saw the Baby Jesus, Christ the King.

Now when they’d seen the royal Babe, they made the saying known;
And all who heard it marvelled at these things.
The shepherds praised the Lord on high and went back to their flocks,
Rejoicing in the gladness heaven brings.
Now when the time was ready for the naming of the Child,
They called Him as the angel had foretold.
And so the Child was circumcised according to the Law;
As customary from the days of old.
 
And when the days were ended for the purifying time;
They brought Him to present Him to the Lord.
And offered there a sacrifice, a pair of turtledoves;
Appropriating as they could afford.
A certain man called Simeon was in Jerusalem,
Who waited for the Comfort of the land.
For it had been revealed to him he would not enter death,
Until he’d seen Messiah close at hand.

He came into the temple by the Spirit of the Lord,
And when the parents entered with their Son;
He took Him in his arms and blessed the Lord Almighty God;
For this salvation brought to everyone.
A light unto the Gentiles and the glory of the Jews,
Prepared before the people everywhere.
And Joseph and His mother marvelled at the words he spoke,
About the One who nestled in their care.

A prophetess called Anna who was well advanced in years,
Was serving God with fasting and with prayer.
And coming in that instant she gave thanks before the Lord,
And spoke about Him to those watchful there.
So when they had done everything according to the Law,
They went back to their home in Galilee.
The Child grew in the spirit, filled with wisdom from the Lord;
Approved by God and by society.

Now every year His parents went to celebrate the Feast;
According to the custom of their kind.
And when the days were over, Jesus being only twelve,
He found a cause to linger on behind.
Now Joseph and His mother did not miss their Son at first;
Assuming He was with the company.
But when they couldn’t find Him they returned and searched around;
Concerned for Him wherever He could be.

And after three days seeking Him around Jerusalem,
They found Him in the temple with the dons.
And all who heard His answers and the wisdom of His speech,
Were thoroughly amazed at His response.
His mother spoke to Him and said, Son, why have You done this?
Your father and I sought You anxiously.
But Jesus answered them and said, Why were you seeking thus?
My Father’s things are My priority.

Now in the days Tiberius was reigning on the throne,
The word of God was given unto John.
He went and preached repentance where the Jordan river flowed,
And baptized every true repentant one.
And Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized by him;
But John did not consider that was meet.
Then Jesus answered him and said, Permit it to be so;
For every righteousness we must complete.

Then after this the Holy Spirit led the Lord away,
And drove Him to the desert of Judea.
So He was in the wilderness for forty days and nights,
And fasted all the time that He was there.
He afterwards was hungry so the Tempter came to Him,
Employing every method he could use.
And though the Lord was tempted more than any other man,
He did not yield to any subtle ruse.

Now if You are the Son of God, the devil said to Him,
Command these stones that they be turned to bread.
But Jesus knew the law of God and what was written there,
And told him what the Scriptures clearly said.
The devil took Him to a mountain where the Lord could see
The glory of the kingdoms far and wide.
He offered them to Jesus if He’d fall and worship him;
For Satan could not free himself from pride.
 
The devil set the Lord upon the temple’s highest point,
Which overlooked the valley deep below.
Suggesting that He throw Himself down off the temple wall,
As there would be no harm in such a throw.
For God would send His angels who would duly bear Him up,
Lest He should dash His foot against a stone.
But Jesus reprimanded him for tempting God this way;
So for a time he left the Lord alone.

Then after this the Lord commenced His public ministry;
Proclaiming forth the kingdom which was near.
Fulfilling every word the prophets wrote so long before,
About the time the kingdom would appear.
For unto us a Child is born; to us a Son is given,
Who hides us neath the shadow of His wing.
The Counsellor, The Mighty God, the lordly Prince of Peace,
Our Wonderful Redeemer, Christ the King.

 

Emmanuel
Behold, a virgin shall be with child,
and shall bring forth a son,
and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew 1:23

The virgin birth of Christ the Lord
Is vital and essential
Without a nature marred and flawed
It marks a true credential

It is a mighty miracle
That marked a brand-new era
A documented oracle
That never was so dearer

He grew up as a model Child
Obedient and holy
Throughout His life so undefiled
A Friend of people lowly

So let us worship Christ the King
Now seated high in glory
With gladsome voices let us sing
His everlasting story

 

The Faithful One
And lo, the star, which they saw in the east,
went before them, till it came and stood over
where the young child was. When they saw
the star, they rejoiced with exceeding joy.
Matthew 2:9, 10

The Young Child long expected
The Wise Men came to see;
No one will be rejected
Who trust Him faithfully

He came to bring salvation
By hanging on a tree,
For every generation,
With true integrity

We thank Thee heavenly Father,
For giving us Thy Son;
Thy children Thou wilt gather,
When time on earth is done

We are so undeserving;
The Lord has met our need;
His blood our souls preserving:
That once-forever deed

 

The Incarnation
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall call his name Immanuel.  
Isaiah 7:14

Though many years had passed along
Since man had started breathing,
There still remained a promise strong,
Though strategies were seething.

All human effort was in vain,
Not having any moment;
It could not ease the lasting pain
That sharp divisions foment.

Though forces insurmountable
Opposed him from the devil,
Mankind was held accountable
For sin at every level.

Then came the Advent prophesied;
A Saviour was provided;
Within Judea’s countryside,
Where Herod’s rule presided.

For God incarnate as a Man
Had come to die for sinners;
His life of such a shortened span,
Would later dwell within us.

Now every human lost in sin,
Wherever they are dwelling,
Have got the right to enter in,
For so His Word is telling.

So wonderful, His holy name,
With grace and truth abounding;
The Saviour of the blind and lame,
With hymns of praise resounding.

 

Joseph and Mary
Joseph, thou son of David,
fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:
for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:20

Joseph and Mary were due to be wed,
After the Jewish tradition;
They were betrothed as the record has said,
Such was the normal condition.

When she was told that a Child would be born,
Though her virginity tarried;
She could be faced with intemperate scorn,
Seeing that she was unmarried.

God had selected this couple of old,
Keeping His promise recorded;
Joseph and Mary did as they were told,
As the occasion afforded.

So there was born in a world full of sin,
One who was pure and anointed;
Those who are known as His brethren and kin,
Never will be disappointed.

 

The Morning Star
I am the root and the offspring of David,
and the bright and morning star.
Revelation 22:16

Our Saviour left His throne above
To show the world His Father’s love.
At Bethlehem, the house of bread,
They laid Him on a manger bed.

An infant child both small and weak,
But still the One whom wise men seek;
For He alone can save the soul
And point us to our heavenly goal.

If you have never met the Lord
Through disobedience to His Word
Then be prepared to hear Him say,
I never knew you! Go away!

But if you think His claims are true
And that He really cares for you,
Then be like me, obey His voice
And make your most important choice.

 

Godliness
But when the fulness of the time was come,
God sent forth his Son.
Galatians 4:4

The gospel of the risen Lord
Was not received from man;
It was revealed by Jesus Christ
Before the Church began.

If anyone preach otherwise
Than what has been rehearsed,
Then let him be anathema,
In other words, accursed.

Our gracious God was manifest;
Appearing in the flesh;
So great is such a mystery
Of perfect godliness.

And in the Spirit justified,
With angels looking on;
Proclaimed among humanity,
Where messengers have gone.

Believed on by the common folk,
Regardless of their caste;
Received up into Majesty
With glory unsurpassed.

 

Simeon
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant
depart in peace, according to thy word;
for mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
which thou hast prepared before the
face of all people.
Luke 2:29-31

A certain man called Simeon
Was in Jerusalem;
Awaiting the expected One
Who would deliver them;
The Spirit had revealed to him
That death he would not see,
Until a promise sealed to him
Became reality.

He came within the temple walls,
The Spirit having led;
And there among the sacred halls
It happened as He said;
When Joseph and His mother
Brought the infant Jesus there,
He knew it was none other
Than Messiah in her care.

He took the Infant in his arms,
And blessed the God Most High,
Whose Son, as written in the Psalms,
Would be the One to die;
Now let Thy servant go in peace,
The old man softly prayed;
Because he knew his own decease
Would no more be delayed.

 

Anna
And there was one Anna, a prophetess…
Luke 2:36

In the Scripture there is Anna,
Who in most devoted manner,
Served the Lord with prayer and fasting day and night;
In the temple, interceding,
With the Holy Spirit’s leading,
She had seen the One whose coming brings the Light.

Giving thanks unto the Father,
Round whose throne the angels gather,
So she spoke to those who waited for the Dawn;
For Redemption they were waiting,
As the Covenant was stating,
For the Lord, the infant Jesus, had been born.

So with Anna and the others,
Both our sisters and our brothers,
We rejoice that Jesus left His throne above;
God is with us, goes the chorus;
His redemptive plan is for us;
As at Calvary He showed His perfect love.

 

A Trilogy
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians 3:21

                                             A Hymn of Praise.                                                

A brother is writing a letter
To those who are faithful and true;
In Him who has loosed every fetter,
And cancelled the debt that was due.

His gracious and peaceable greeting,
In keeping with holy accord,
Is found in the God we are meeting:
The Son and the Father adored.

For blest be the Father forever;
The Father of Jesus the Son,
Who in His redemptive endeavour
Has blessed us in all He has done.

According as when we were chosen;
Before the foundations were laid;
Before the earth’s mantle was frozen,
Or angelic creatures were made.

That we should be blameless and holy,
Before Him in love that He gives;
In Christ our Deliverer solely:
The Saviour who endlessly lives.

Adopted as sons to the Father;
Predestined according to plan;
From people afar He would gather,
And make them in Christ a new man.

For so was His good will and pleasure;
The praise of His glory and grace;
The depth of His merciful treasure;
The love that we see in His face.

In Him who has made us accepted;
Redeemed by His excellent blood;
Forgiven, no longer rejected;
As sinners yet counted as good.
 
His riches of grace overflowing;
Abounding in wisdom to all;
Revealing His will to the knowing;
His purpose for those in His call.

To gather together creation,
In one from the earth and the sky;
In times of the full dispensation;
In Christ as the ages go by.

In whom all believers have trusted;
Obtaining a heritage sure;
Where trees by a river are clustered;
A home for the meek and the pure.

Now sealed by the Spirit once given;
A purchased possession from high;
A bond that can never be riven;
A planting that never can die.

All praise to the Father of glory;
All praise to the glorious Son;
All praise to the Spirit Most Holy;
  All praise to the blest Three-In-One.

 

The Gospel
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and thou shalt be saved.
Acts 16:31

The gospel is the only news
That everyone must hear;
It was announced to Adam in the Garden;
Transmitted by believing Jews
To Gentiles far and near;
For only by the Lord we have a pardon.

Without good news we all are lost,
For none of us are good;
We all inherit sin by generation;
When troubles on our path have crossed
And brought a sullen mood,
The remedy is always through salvation.
 
The gospel is not temporal,
Like antidotes we take,
Sustaining us until we are no longer;
It saves us from a lasting hell:
That fiery awesome lake,
Prepared for fallen angels who are stronger.

The gospel is our daily bread
That nourishes the soul;
Revealing what is true and things deceptive;
   We need God’s wisdom in our head
To help us in our role,
And move towards the goal, the more perceptive.

Believing in the Saviour Lord
Has always been the way,
Until our time is brought to its conclusion;
The Word of God is like a sword,
Dividing us today;
Receiving Jesus Christ is God’s solution.

 

The Abrahamic Covenant
Now the LORD had said unto Abram…
…in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Genesis 12:1, 3

The Abrahamic Covenant
Is pivotal and sure;
Its promises are evident,
And ever will endure.

Displaying God’s integrity
To all the human race:
His faithfulness and sovereignty
Which nothing can erase.

This Covenant for every age
Does not depend on man;
Its outworking at every stage
Will terminate God’s plan.
 
It promises for Israel,
And all the nations too,
A kingdom that will far excel
All others passing through.

It tells about the Promised Seed
Who came in history;
And by His every word and deed
Revealed His deity.

He will return a Second Time
To occupy His throne:
A thousand years of rule sublime
With those He calls His own.

 

The Holy One
Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts:
the whole earth is full of his glory.
Isaiah 6:3

For unto us a Child is born,
A Son is given freely;
And He shall on a coming dawn,
Uphold a rule ideally.

His name shall be called Wonderful,
The Counsellor, Almighty;
The Father with a lasting rule;
The Prince of Peace so rightly.

And of His government and peace,
On David’s throne unending;
For it shall prosper and increase,
With justice never bending.

The Lord of hosts in holy zeal
Will notably perform it;
No creature, be they ethereal,
Can alter or reform it.

 

Our Destiny
Having predestinated us unto the adoption
of children by Jesus Christ to himself…
Ephesians 1:5

The angels were watching in wonder,
As Jesus the Saviour was born;
He came not with splendour or thunder,
But just as the Scriptures had sworn.

The wise men were duly alerted;
They travelled across from the east;
Their journey back home was diverted,
For Satan’s desire had not ceased.

The Lord grew in wisdom and standing;
In favour with God and with man;
He did what the law was commanding;
There is not another who can.

His baptism marked the beginning;
The testing was set in His path;
Intent on the race He was winning,
Although it would meet with God’s wrath.

A sacrifice once undertaken
Would be the requirement He’d pay;
The portals of hell would be shaken,
And sinners made free on that day.

The Saviour above who is seated
With glory and honour complete,
Will come now His foes are defeated,
For Satan is under His feet.
 
He’s coming for those who’ve believed Him,
Who, having no claim of their own,
Are waiting, now having received Him,
To meet at His glorious throne.

 

It Is Time
Behold, now is the accepted time:
behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2

Now is the day of salvation;
Now is the day to decide;
Ever since Adam’s temptation,
Doubting must never abide.

We are on earth for a season,
Until our days are complete;
Hardness is nigh unto treason,
It brings eternal defeat.

We have the light we’ve encountered;
Even the truth that we know;
Truth can be never discounted,
It stands alone even so.

Souls have a destiny certain;
Judgment is now at the door;
Jesus will draw back the curtain;
Justice will come to the fore.

Adam was cast from the garden,
Guilty as any can be;
Yet there is always a pardon,
Judgment was met on the tree.

Everyone trusting the Saviour,
Though they are spiritually dead,
Will be brought into His favour:
Jesus has died in our stead.

Jesus is living and risen;
He could not stay in the grave;
Loosing the captives from prison;
Sharing the life that He gave.

He was minutely inspected;
Judged without blemish or spot;
Risen as now resurrected,
Spoiling each secular plot.
 
There is a kingdom awaited,
Filled with God’s glory and peace;
Wars will have thereby abated;
Demonic dangers will cease.

Animals no more ferocious;
Israel in their heritage;
No devil’s voice to reproach us;
Jesus will write a new page.

Shall we be part of this picture?
Living in glorious light?
Jesus fulfilled every scripture,
Banished His foes out of sight.

He is the Lord God Almighty;
Judgment is set in His hand;
All unbelief is unsightly;
It cannot prosper or stand.  

 

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