Following Christmas
By larry r Linville

She went to church on Christmas Eve
to worship the newborn king
then home to open all her gifts
and enjoy her pile of new bling.

While she sang some Christmas songs
she went down to the store
to exchange some of her presents
in a place that looked like war.

The Prince of Peace of which she sang
was no where to be found
in all of the surroundings
with noises very loud.

She shouted at the shoppers
who crowded into line
and she wasn’t like the angels
as she let her anger shine.

Peace on earth she had just sung
from the bottom of her heart
but there wasn’t much peace with her
or near her shopping cart.

As she drove home to get some rest
another driver cut her off
and she would have shouted angry words
if she hadn’t had to cough.

She’ll try again next Christmas
to get the peace on earth to last
instead of watching it vanish
at a speed so very fast.

Christmas Wish For 2010
By larry r Linville

While others sent Christmas cards
I prepared worship stuff.
I’d have addressed envelopes
but ample time was not enough.

Now that Christmas Day has come
and responsibilities complete
it’s time to write a Christmas poem
with a message that is neat.

I’ve seen the miracle again
as people opened their hearts to God
and shared the loving message
without needing a friendly prod.

In the midst of things commercial
with problems on the increase
many pulled away the wrapping
and bowed to the Prince of Peace.

May the greatest present you received
have value beyond all treasure
which touches deep in your soul
and brings you a special pleasure.

Christmas Surprise
By larry r linville

Surprises come into life every day
some subtle ones we seem to miss,
but others alter our normal lives
sneaking up like a small child’s wet kiss.

Surprise hit the teen aged Mary
through a strange messenger from God
with words she couldn’t comprehend
and implications that seemed so odd.

Joseph, too, received a surprise
which changed his whole life’s direction
causing him to spend nights and days
before making his final selection.

The innkeeper must have been shocked
when a new baby’s cry touched his ear
coming from the barn full of cattle
with the parents shouting in much cheer.

The shepherds had a double surprise
on that strange night of all nights.
First when the angels sang their message
and then at the manger’s awesome sights.

True Christmas today brings a surprise
and so many unexpected joys.
It’s a surprise that changes our hearts
in ways more fulfilling than toys.

We miss these surprises in our lives
when we don’t take the time to prepare.
But when we spend time getting hearts ready
We’ll experience the surprise that is there.

Where’s The Manger Today?

By larry r Linville

Joe and Mary from a small rural town

had to travel to the big city

although she was about to give birth

they received no help and none gave pity.

The old rusty car they traveled in

just barely made the long trip

but every place they tried to get a room

gave this poor couple the same old quip.

Although she was pregnant they all said “no.”

with voices that were loud and bold.

So she was forced to give birth to her child

underneath a bridge in the bitter cold.

There were no animals surround them

just cars passing on the busy street

not knowing that in this remote place

a child was born so loving and sweet.

Where will you find his manger this year?

Are you looking in the right place?

Perhaps, when you think he’s not here at all

you end up seeing him face to face.

Final Poem in Advent Devotion book "Getting Ready For Christmas

Presents For All


When the kids got up the last day
thinking they had time to play
they saw a pile of paper on the floor
with ribbons and bows so galore.

Mother said “we have gifts to wrap
so there will be no time for a nap.”
They wrapped gifts for certain friends
of all kinds of things and odds and ends.

Grandma, Grandpa and cousins too
the pile was high before they were through.
They tried to think whom they had missed
and went back over their long list.

Dad asked if they missed one guest
more important than all the rest.
They couldn’t think of any one
then they remembered God’s only Son.

“We can’t miss Jesus, it’s his birthday
so for his gift we’ll have to pray.”
They gave the church a big donation
for God’s gift to all creation.

Tim thought they should do even more
given freely and not just a chore.
Jesus said as we do to others
we give to him and to his brothers.

They looked around and tried to read
of a family near who had a big need.
They delivered to them a box of food
and other things they thought would be good.

Cookies to the man living alone
and a friendly call on the phone.
Money was given to a man
at a red Salvation Army can.

When the gift giving was done
and they rested from that big run
they were ready for Christmas Day
as they thankfully bowed to pray.

7th Poem from my Advent Devotional booklet

How about Flowers?

“If we’re having a party,” said Tim
“this place still looks too dark and dim.
I think we could use a big flower
Which would supply so much power.”

Dad took them to the flower store
and there all around the floor
were poinsettia flowers so red
and nothing else needed to be said.

Dad told them to look from afar
how the flowers were shaped like a star.
The plants matched Susie’s cold red face
as she put them in their special place.



Mother told them these specials flowers
would give them many happy hours.
She said they were found in Mexico
but we didn’t have that far to go.

My 6th poem in the Advent Devotional book

Goodies for the Party


Susie said, “We need to prepare
refreshments we can all share
as we celebrate Jesus’ birthday
let’s make a great big parfait.”

Mother said “that wouldn’t do
but I can make cookies with you.
We’ll make some that look like stars
and other that are chocolate bars.

“Then we’ll make some cupcakes too
and top them with some icing goo.”
Tim suggested many colors bright
to give a very happy site

“They will be a pretty treat
and also very good to eat.
We can take some to our friends
so the happiness never ends.

Poem # 5 in Devotional book "Getting Ready For Christmas"

The Carols

The next morning Tim was up early
and set up the CD player
when all the family entered
he said, “Let me say a prayer.

He said, “we must have carols
to listen to every day
and we can sing with them
and listen to what they say.”

Mother asked why we need music
and Susie was quickly to reply
“It was because the angels sang
on that night from on high.”

They spent time looking at CD’s
which hadn’t been heard for a year
and it was good to hear them
and it filled them all with much cheer.

Searching Family Tree
By larry r Linville

I’m sitting at this computer
at the genealogy library.
Been here for almost an hour
and all I have found is me.

I knew more when I came here
than I do now when I must stop.
I can count on my own memory
to know who’s my mom and pop.

My wife at another computer
was doing much better and I.
She handed me six generations
when I was about to cry.

I don’t think this is my talent
and I have no desire to pursue.
I think I’ll just play solitaire
until she is finally through.

I probably wouldn’t want to know
all the things I would discover.
If I found about my ancestors
things better kept under cover.

From my devotional book "Getting Ready For Christmas."

The Nativity Scene

The next day Susie was excited
as she carried in a crate.
She shouted, “Look, here a manger
don’t you think it’s great?”

Mother said, “That’s a crèche
also a nativity scene.
let’s put it on this table
but first, let’s make it clean.

They dusted it and laid it out
to see what was there
but before they did another thing
they had a little prayer.

First they took a manger
and put it in the center
and left space around it
so the characters could enter.

There were animals all around
cows and donkey and sheep
and in the little manger
was Jesus fast asleep.

Mary knelt behind it
and Joseph stood so tall
and hay was all around
the cozy little stall.


Shepherds knelt in honor
to declare what they had heard
when the angels sang to them
each and every word.

Tim stood back to admire
the picture in their room
and notice how it changed the room
and took away the gloom.

Susie shined a light on the manger
as if it were a bright star
then they walked across the room
to see in from afar.

Dad started singing
a carol they all knew
soon Tim and Susie joined in
because they knew it too.

“Away in a manger no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay
The Little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.”

(This is the third poem in my Advent booklet, "Getting Ready for Christmas."

The Christmas Tree

Tim jumped out of bed all excited
and woke up Susie in a hurry,
“Today’s the day we go cut a tree
so we’ll really have to scurry.”

As they drove to the farm Dad said,
“the tree speaks of God’s endless love
which surrounds our lives all year long
giving warmth to our life like a glove.

“We’ll place a star at the tree’s top
like the star which they saw in the sky,
to show us the way to find Jesus
and it’s easy to see up so high.

“We’ll make Chrismons with Christian symbols
out of styrofoam and little beads
each symbol tells us of God’s love
and how God meets everyone’s needs.”

“We will hang strands of lights to remind
that Jesus is the Light of the World
we’ll put them on the branches
and soon they will be curled.

These light are like the candles
which were used many year before
and their brightness will help us
worship God whom we adore.”