Adults' Submissions Set 10

Good Tidings Home
Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Set 6
Set 7 | Set 8 | Set 9 | Set 10 | Set 11 | Set 12 | Set 13

Come, dear ones, give us your hands -
To raise a sparkling glass to hope,
To light the warming flame of understanding,
To open rare gifts of justice and peace.
Come, dear ones, give us your hands -
To pass on to all you meet the healing touch of love.

Karen Seay, Edina, MN

Our little white church on the hill held a glow of anticipation as the lights were dimmed so low as to create silhouettes out of the parishioners gathered. A score of white-robed choristers began to sing the old familiar song as Sankta Lucia appeared, candles bright atop her head. She held a silver tray full of home-baked cookies and cakes and beckoned us to follow her to the firesede room for a time of Yuletide gladness. With tears in my eyes, the Chancel Choir I was directing became a blur before me as I listened to the music and a small heavenly voice from my mother who had died this past April. "Well done, Son. Merry Christmas." The magical Christmas I had feared would not return to me had come once again, softly as snow, but with all the warmth of the candles blazing before me.

Eric Larson, Afton, MN

A Musical Call to Arms

Brother, be a flute of faith,
Father, a cello of cheer in the night.
Sister, be a great horn of hope and
Mother, a drum of delight.

In the dark of this winter
play your music of love.
Echo the angels and
proclaim Peace from above.

Mary Beth Marier, St. Paul, MN

Sit by the fire
a book
a warm brew
tree lights twinkling
and be peaceful;

Let images of
fallen buildings be
replaced by a
dimly lit stable
from which the light
dazzles creation
and be comforted;

Open your heart
to family, friend,
foe, and the
Light
and be loved.

Michele Frisch, Plymouth, MN

May the cloak of winter sleep
bring you time...
to discover God within yourself,
to appreciate what you are,
to nourish your beauty,
to strengthen your intent in life.

Diana Lieffring, Roseville, MN

Motion of the Season:

Pondering
Driving, Looking, Asking
Driving, Looking, Asking
Worrying, Asking
Muttering, Driving, Buying
Watching, Smiling
Decorating
Cleaning, Cooking
Wrapping, Signing

Greeting, Hugging, Kissing
Sitting
Sipping, Talking
Sipping, Exaggerating
Laughing, Connecting

Cutting, Smelling, Savoring, Toasting
Twinkling, Sparkling, Glowing, Basking
Opening, Reading
Thanking
Tearing, Struggling, Gasping
Thanking
Hugging, Kissing
Connecting
Relaxing, Beaming
Beaming.

John D. Olson, Minneapolis, MN

Falling leaves, crosscountry skis,
Melting snow, to the lakes we go.
Christmas lights, northern lights,
A clearing sky of blue.
A bright, and merry, Minnesota Christmas to you.

Deona McEnery, Fargo, ND

The Snow

This snow is coming
With this we will see
The pleasentries, the EARTH
In a new beauty!
Great big flakes
Falling from the sky
Hoping this winter
No one will die!
When it falls
It falls completely on us
Only because...Our Father God
We Do Trust!

Joseph Smith Jr, Minneapolis, MN

Peace hides in the moment--
unassuming, veiled in gray.
Only mindfulness reveals
the blessings of the day.

Lori Schleicher, Lino Lakes, MN

Here's to you...and you ...and you.
Here's to all that we've been through.
Let's anticipate the year to come.
And turn our faces to the sun.
Let's be grateful for what we have.
For liberty is a gift-precious and rare.
Perhaps the best gift we can share.

T.S.Pendergrast, Minneapolis, MN

My lonely childhood's Christmas past
Totally transformed by you
Running for a wooden sled
When you were not yet two.

Your first Christmas shopping
When you were only eight
Home with eyes and cheeks aglow
Your change left behind in Santa's grate.

We remember you at Christmas with gratitude.

Norma Hervey, Decorah, IA