ART & POERY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

The pencil drawing today shows a peaceful scene – where evergreens are still green and mountains stand tall in the distance. The water has begun to freeze. Serenity, quiet, peace are things that we all long for, but it may take a lifetime to achieve. The people of Israel had waited for 4000 years for God to fulfill his promise of a Messiah. Generations would come and go. Sin would continue to infest the world. A flood was sent to clean things up, leaving only a small tribe of humanity to repopulate the earth. Years again would go by. The promise still hung in the air like a fleeting memory, but it remained. In God’s timing – according to His plan- without any help from mankind – He waited for just the right moment. All the ancient prophesies were about to come true. His messenger, Gabriel, was busy when that time came. He first visited Zechariah and Elizabeth to tell them they would have a child. Another impossible situation. They were old and Elizabeth was barren. They waited. They believed. It happened. The forerunner of the Messiah would be born to this couple. Mary went to be with Elizabeth after she heard that she also was going to go through a miraculous pregnancy. Together they resolved that this was such a time as this. All according to God’s original promise. Waiting isn’t easy, but when the final result occurs, it is SO worth it.

You came to a world filled with darkness and sin.

You loved us devoutly without and within.

Your love conquered all through a child meek and small,

Sweet Jesus, Your Son came and died for us all.

You took away sadness and filled us with peace,

You give us a hope that defies life’s surcease.

You gave Your life for us so we could be free.

Sweet Jesus, Your blood you did shed on the tree.

Your body lay lifeless, but rose on that day,

To show us that our sins you carried away.

So now we look forward to that special time

Sweet Jesus to join you in heaven sublime.

We know you’ll return to carry us home,

To empty the darkness of this world that we roam.

Be with us forever and love us each day,

Sweet Jesus, we love you, come quickly we pray.