Christmases Past

Christmases Past
By Larry Linville
It was in my mind
I did what I could never do
physically.
I spent Christmas Eve
In several churches
I have served
Simultaneously.
Joy jumped like a frisky baby lamb
As each sanctuary
Enclosed me in a warm embrace.
People from the last fifty years
Smiled as if to bless me
As I quietly watched
What I’d been too busy
To notice
During all my years.
I saw how the churches
And those special people
Were different
Yet so much alike.
And I received more than all I gave
And much, much more.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Loving Preparation - The Gift of Mary and Joseph

Loving Preparation – The Gift of Mary and Joseph

By Larry Linville

They just had to be upset

at old Caesar Augustus

as they made that long hard trip

the emperor called justice.

They made much preparation

lovingly you would agree

for the promise of new birth,

a descendant of Jesse.

They gave this gift to us all

by every preparation

and they shared that self-less love

which spread to every nation.

Like them, we can now prepare

to receive this baby boy

and we’ll find on Christmas Day

our lives are filled with great joy.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

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Wonder: The Gift of the Shepherds

I'm looking at some poems about those who were at the Nativity. If it works well, I might use them in the Christmas Eve Service. We'll see.

Wonder: The Gift of the Shepherds

By Larry Linville

If the angels disappeared

and the shepherds went to sleep

we would be without a gift

that touches our spirit deep.

“Let us go to Bethlehem,”

shows us wonder at its best

and helps us to follow them

as we go on our own quest.

Wonder doesn’t let us stay

a captive of apathy.

It prods our look for Jesus

with our hearts open to see.

Yes, the shepherds give a gift

we can still receive today

leading us to the manger

to join with them as we pray.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

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Getting Ready

Getting Ready

By Larry Linville

When you’ve put away goblins and ghosts

and have had that last turkey on toast

your holiday times should not end

a bigger one’s around the bend.

It’s important to start it off right

doing things to prepare for that night.

I’m not talking of Christmas trees

it’s about getting on your knees.

I know there are gifts you must buy

and so much baking you want to cry

just use time to take a long look

at the story found in the Book.

Don’t get busy and miss the reason

we celebrate this joyous season.

Put things in the proper perspective

to achieve your Christmas objective.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

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Laborers Are Few

Laborers Are Few
By Larry Linville

“The fields are white for harvest
and the laborers are few.”
That’s how Jesus challenged us
and we know it’s very true.

But we send out messages
that we love Jesus so deep.
If others love him like we do
this good chain mail they should keep.

We flood emails with forwards
which seldom contain much truth
and it takes hours to read their
condemnations of our youth.

We voice our hate for others
who are different than we are
while we climb a big ladder
to place that big lighted star.

“Christmas is too commercial”
we complain while looking smug
as we buy some mistletoe
that matches our Christmas rug.

The fields are white for harvest
but the laborers are busy
finding many other things
to keep them in a tizzy.

If the workers did those things
Christ wanted them to do
Jesus would be in Christmas
and people would be blessed too.

We’d find it’s not the words said
but what we do in His name
when we try to share that peace
we don’t have the time to blame.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Good Old Days

Good Old Days
By Larry Linville

You can see nostalgia on their face
while they try so hard to make their case
how life was better in many ways
and things were great in the good old days.

I’ll build the outhouse, you dig the pit
and we’ll have it done before we quit.
Let’s stand back to look and give it praise.
Tell me how you miss the good old days.

Pick up the phone and wait a while
‘til no one’s talking then you may dial.
Put wood in the stove and let it blaze
while to talk about the good old days.

Pump some water and bring it inside
and put in the washer with some Tide.
Since there’s no TV we can just gaze
thinking about the good old days.

Walk a mile to school or maybe two
with a lunch your mom packed for you
while you are waiting for life’s next phase
remind yourself of the good old days.

Today is the good old days my friend
and here’s the message I want to send.
Don’t miss the now as you sit in a daze
trying to live in the good old days.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Marking Property

Marking Property

By Larry Linville

Two male dogs met at a fence

in their respective back yards.

They each had their job to do

as their family guards.

The first dog made his statement

by lifting high his right back paw

and marking the property

which the other dog clearly saw.

Up went the leg of the other

to make a similar claim.

So the first dog repeated

by doing the very same.

Neither dog would give an inch

as they made that spot real wet.

They couldn’t let the other win

and become the better pet.

After the hour long contest

they were as dry as could be.

Dehydration made them sick

since they could no longer pee.

Now when they see each other

and their eyeballs start to roll

they run to get a great big drink

from their little water bowl.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

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