A Glimmer of Hope

A glimmer of hope slipped into the world,

arriving with love at our Savior’s birth,

a promise fulfilled that was long foretold,

with divine light piercing the darkness of earth.

That hope leapt into the hearts of shepherds

at the angel’s appearance with great news of joy.

It swelled with the praises to God in the highest

because of the coming of this holy baby boy.

The shepherds hurried to find the infant

lying in a manger filled with hay.

Hope overflowed with love and amazement

on seeing the precious gift from God where He lay.

This hope gleams on in us today,

flickering, growing, steady and bright,

bringing joy and peace that Jesus conveys

into lives receptive to God’s holy light.

© Connie Arnold, 2017

Love and Light Came for All

Love and Light came at Christmastime,

a gift from God, divine and sublime,

offered freely to everyone,

the gift of God’s only beloved Son.

The light of a star shining radiantly

glittered with hope for humanity,

a glimpse of the peace that was meant to be

and of God’s power and majesty.

The world was trapped in the darkness of sin

until the Light of Christ entered in,

revealing God’s mercy, love and grace,

shining on people of every race.

The world was changed by this Love and Light

when Jesus was born on that special night.

Through the centuries, celebrating His birth,

joy is found in the miracle of God coming to earth.

 © Connie Arnold

Joy and Peace

Jesus is risen; what joy that thought brings!

He lives in our hearts as our own King of Kings.

We need not fear death but can have hope and peace

for He is God's Son, and His love will not cease.

The sacrifice made leads the way to salvation

of all who believe, for each generation.

A song of thanksgiving and joy gladly raise

as we offer our hearts in grateful praise.

Wishing you a beautiful and blessed Easter as we celebrate Christ's resurrection and the new life we have with Him forever!

Christmas Star

The Christmas star pouring its light

on the world, glittering, clear and bright,

directed the way to God’s gift of love

by its brilliance shining down from above.

The radiance of that glowing star

beamed more brightly than the others by far,

but its glory could not begin to compare

to the light of love that shone everywhere.

That star’s light focused on a stable stall,

on a tiny infant, the Lord of all.

The light of hope that this Child would impart

flickers and glimmers in each beating heart.

The light of joy and love beams on,

spreading salvation to everyone

who open their hearts so the light may come in,

with faith that Jesus will cleanse every sin.

Like the star that sparkled that holy night,

God’s love continues to shed holy light

as the light of hope that came at Christ’s birth

is shared through the centuries across the earth.

© Connie Arnold, 2014

www.conniearnold.webs.com 

Joyful Expectation

At this time of year when we are filled

With joy and expectation,

We await the celebration

Of Jesus coming at His birth.

We find that we are also filled

With a sense of anticipation

And a joyful realization

That Christ again will return to earth!

In this Advent time of waiting

With our hearts and minds preparing

For a time of giving and sharing

And hearts overflowing with love,

We need to remember while waiting

To always be kind and caring,

Helping others with burdens they’re bearing,

As we await Christ’s return from above.  

© Connie Arnold

Take advantage of Advent special offers and read more poems on my website.

Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

 Why did Jesus have to die?
     Wasn’t there any other way?
For all of the sins that we have committed,
     why should He be the one to pay?

Jesus went around doing good,
     helping others and teaching.
He cast out demons and healed the sick,
     spreading God’s word through His teaching.
He lived a life that was righteous and pure—
     He is God’s holy Son.
He set an example for how we should live,
     since He is the only sinless one.
Yet He was despised and rejected;
     He suffered pain and grief.
His own people wouldn’t receive Him
     but offered ridicule and unbelief.

He took our sins upon Him
     and suffered a cruel death;
His love was so great that “Father, forgive them”
     He prayed with His dying breath.

Praise be to God! This wasn’t the end;
     He didn’t remain in the grave.
On the third day Jesus rose from the dead;
     our souls forever He did save.
Through faith in Christ and God’s holy grace
     we can have a wonderful certainty;
We need never have any fear of death
     but will live with Him in eternity.

Why did Jesus have to die?
     There wasn’t any other way.
In His abundant love and mercy,
     the price for our sins He was willing to pay.

from Beautiful Moments of Joy and Peace 
© Connie Arnold
Visit my website to learn how to get a free copy.

How Much Did Mary Understand?

 

How Much Did Mary Understand?

How much did Mary understand

The magnitude of what God had planned?

Could she even imagine how Jesus’ birth

Would make such an impact on the earth?

How much could Mary comprehend

The importance of the child God would send

As she humbly accepted what He had willed

So that God’s purpose might be fulfilled?

How much did Mary really know

As the baby within her began to grow?

Gabriel had told her she’d have a son

Who was also the Son of the most holy One.

How much did Mary feel even more

Than any mother had ever before?

Her heart surely overflowed with love

For this incredible gift from above.

How much do we now understand

The magnitude of what God had planned?

May we like Mary accept what God willed

That our Savior’s birth long ago has fulfilled.

Excerpt from Love & Light Christmas booklet

Free with purchase of any of my books, or buy on my website

© Connie Arnold, 2010

Filtering Impurities

Jesus acts as a filter, taking away our sin,
Absorbing our impurities to make us clean within,
Taking in hatred to transform it into love,
Filling us instead with God’s goodness from above,
Soaking in our fear, causing us to be set free,
As a filter cleans the water, Jesus cleanses you and me;

Taking utter chaos and changing it to right,
Transforming inner darkness to clear and radiant light,
Drawing out our evil thoughts, making them more pure,
Filtering impurities so goodness can endure,
Changing us, removing all impurities concealed,
Until God’s holy purity within us is revealed.

© Connie Arnold, March 2009

Read more poetry on my website blog.