Unto Us a Son is Given

Given, not lent,
And not withdrawn - once sent,
This Infant of mankind, this One,
Is still the little welcome Son.

New every year,
New born and newly dear,
He comes with tidings and a song,
The ages long, the ages long;

Even as the cold
Keen winter grows not old,
As childhood is fresh, foreseen,
And spring in the familiar green.

Sudden as sweet
Come the expected feet.
All joy is young, and new all art,
And He, too, whom we have by heart.


by Alice Meynell,  1847-1922


Merry Christmas.  This year Christmas week was a bit different than most.  Most of our family got quite sick.  As I was sitting on the couch barely able to talk or think, I said in jest,  "Where is the Christmas cheer?"  Most Christmases we are busy cooking, caroling, and planning surprises for the children, but this year we were fixing flu tea and filling the vaporizers and reading to sick children.  So it was quite different this year, but it made me think about all those who are suffering while others are merrymaking. The answer to my question is from our Christmas play this year. "Christmas is not a time or a place."  I knew the answer when I asked it.  Rather, Christmas is a reality to be embraced, that God loves us so much that He became one of us and dwelt among us.  He came hidden as a little Babe, born in a cave.  He is gentle, and He gently calls us to Himself.  He invites us to be friends.  So we rejoice even when we are in various trials.

The Advent Kiss

Ever since Adam walked with God
     In the cool of the evening -
          Hand in hand perhaps;
Human hearts have yearned to know Him
     As that intimate friend -
          Holding them closely.

So He came again, not to walk,
     But to be held in our arms -
          Helpless and quiet;
Showing us the way to know Him
     by allowing our lips to
          Kiss the Face of God.


by Nathan Dunlap
2nd Sunday of Advent, Dec. 9, 2007


Note:  A few years ago my husband wrote this poem for a Christmas card of the Madonna and Child titled 'Kissing the Face of God'.  As I think on the Incarnation of God become man, one can only marvel at such Divine Love, becoming an infant born in poverty in a remote cave in Bethlehem.    

An Offering to Thee

So transform me, O Lord,
   That my life may be
   An offering to Thee,
As Christ has made
   An offering to me.

Work in me and make me whole;
Cleanse my heart, make pure my soul.

So transform me, O Lord,
   That my life may be
   An offering to Thee,
As Christ has made
   An offering to me.

Consecrate my cup inside;
With Thee, O Christ, I will abide.

So transform me, O Lord,
   That my life may be
   An offering to Thee,
As Christ has made
   An offering to me.

My death shall be as fire or ice;
Thy grace, Thy peace, Thy love will suffice.

So transform me, O Lord,
   That my life may be
   An offering to Thee,
As Christ has made
   An offering to me.

 Julie Dunlap  11-27-1012,  St. Augustine Cathedral

Thanksgiving Poems

Blessed Thanksgiving

Joy bell ringing

Banjo singing

Voices mingling

Noses tingling

Children swinging

Laughter lingering

Bringing thanks to God.

by Julie Dunlap,  11-25-2009

Pauper's Thanksgiving

Banker's loaning

Congress owning

Parents groaning

Children moaning

Grace atoning

by Nathan Dunlap,  11-25-2009

Note:  Three years ago my husband and I had a lot of fun thinking up these rhymes on Thanksgiving morning by candlelight.  At the time we were living in a rustic cabin at the edge of the woods.  Our bedroom had a picture window that looked out at treetops, since the cabin is built on a slope and our room was upstairs.  The moonlight shone brightly into our room as well.  I recall this particular morning laughing as we were thinking up these poems in the early hours.  There is so much to be thankful for in this life, and I am thankful for poetry and laughter, music and mountains, my husband and his faithfulness, children and family, and most of all I give thanks to God for His abundant grace and loving-kindness!!! I encourage you to thank God for all the good you know in this life, for all good gifts come from the Lord.

Beautiful Bride

Christ is the Head;

His Church is the bride.

As Christ is Glorious 

and full of Splendor,

So also His Church

will be Glorious,

a spotless bride.

He washes us with the Holy Waters of Baptism.

He nourishes us with His own Body and Blood,

Broken and spilled out in passionate love for His bride.

He ordains leaders: Bishops, Priests, and Deacons

to guide and be His representatives on earth.

He absolves our sins, wiping them clean, as we repent 

of our failures to do God's Holy Will. 

He confirms our faith by the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

He blesses our marriage bonds of faithful love.

He ministers to us with compassion

when we are sick or dying.

Thank You, Lord, for Thy Passionate Love

demonstrated in the Incarnation of the Son of God made Son of Man.

Thank You, Lord, for Thy abundant, generous Grace

available to all who humbly accept our marred humanity,

and embrace Thy Divine Touch.

Thank You, Lord, for establishing and building 

Thy Holy Church -

Thy Beloved Bride.

by Julie Dunlap   10-2-2012

Note: Today is All Saints Day, a day to remember the glorious cloud of witnesses that have proceeded us to the heavenly realms.  I wrote down these thoughts after reading several sections from The King's Highway by George D. Carleton.  Christ's enduring and endearing love for His bride, His Holy Church, is hard to fathom, and it is with grateful hearts that we acknowledge this love.  He takes us as unworthy sinners, and by this ardent love  makes His own to be of worth.    

Autumn Days

Autumn days are here

With splendid colors arrayed!

Ah, the feel in the air

Of a beautiful autumn day!

Hear the merry laughter

Of children piling leaves,

And gaze across the fields

As farmers bring in the sheaves.

Bushels of apples are being picked

to be made into cider so sweet;

Or how about a delicious pie?

M-m-m, yummy, what a treat!

I love to hear the honking

Of geese on a nearby pond.

Yes, autumn is a happy time;

We'll cherish memories fond!

The basement shelves are filled

For all our winter supply.

So we;ll say 'welcome autumn',

And to summer we'll say 'good-bye'! 

                                                       

                                                       by Rachel Plank

                                                       October 19, 2011

Yours

Yours

Lord, with my arms wide open

And my hands stretched out

I'm putting my hope in You,

And giving You my all....

From here on out.

Where You send, I'll go,

From China to New York,

Whether with rich or poor,

My trust is forever in You.

If it's through simple prayers,

Or saving tiny orphan girls,

Even when people scoff and scorn,

I'll still be serving You.

When life brings storms,

Your name is still to be praised

Because I know Your promise, 

And there will be a rainbow in the end.

My life is in Your hands,

And You are in my life.

I serve through Your name

And I love with Your heart

Because I am Yours.

Oh, Lord, I am Yours forever.

by Sveta Dunlap    Sept., 2012

Note:  I am so thankful to see God at work in our daughter, and I thank Sveta for sharing her heart through this poem.  The ultimate goal of Christian parents is that our children will love and serve Christ throughout their lives so that they bring honor and glory to God Almighty.