As Shepherds Watched

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night." Luke 2:8

"Glory to God in the Highest."
The shepherds heard the glorious sound.
They knew something special happened;
As they bowed their heads to the ground.

They heard the angels singing.
"Peace on earth, goodwill to all men".
They waited patiently for direction,
The angel sent them to Bethlehem.

"Find the Baby in a manger,
The city of David is the place;
Take your sheep and do not tarry,
Go and look upon His face".

The shepherds wondered, "How do we go?"
The angel pointed to a shining star.
"Follow this to where He lay.
You must leave now, your journey's far."

At last they found the stable.
The Baby was sleeping peacefully.
As they gazed into the manger;
They saw the One whose name is Holy.

The shepherds were filled with joy!
They found the Christ, the only One;
Of whom the angels testified,
Was God's alone, His Only Son.

They didn't wait to tell the good news;
The glory of God was among us.
The Baby asleep in the manger that night;
Is our Savior, His name is Jesus. 

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Gift

To you who believe, He is precious." 1 Peter 2:7

Christmas is a time of
       family celebration.
Joined hearts in thanksgiving
       filled with jubilation.
Christmas is a time for singing
       merry songs of cheer;
Of reminiscing through another
       passing year.
It is a time to remember
       a Divine Baby Boy
A King who came to earth
       to suffer for our joy.
A sinless Child  destined
       to become a Man;
A Savior born to fulfill
       God's salvation plan.
The Spirit of God is present
       blessing hearts everywhere.
Still, some refuse to embrace
       God's loving care.
Festive plans, holiday sales,
       of such people tell;
Scarcely a thought of Jesus,
       the Lord, Emmanuel.
When all the clamour around you
       beckons to be heard;
Remember God's Gift to you,
       Jesus, His Living Word.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Author of Salvation

"And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all that obey Him." Hebrews 5:9

My sentence was passed down.
Death and horror was the decree.
But Jesus' blood sealed the scroll.
This sinner is now set free.

He wrote my pardon with His blood;
Every paragraph, verse and line.
He set me in heavenly places.
His Father is also mine.

Never again to belong to the world;
He clothed me as His own.
The Father's ransomed treasure,
Purchased by the Son and brought home.

For all who seek the Author
to cleanse and set you free;
Your pardon is waiting at the cross.
It's written in blood at Calvary.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

God of My Care

"And a man's enemies will be those of his own household." Matthew 10:36

When someone has treated me badly
and the pain is to hard to bear;
I lift my eyes toward heaven
to the God of my loving care.
He knows of the pain hidden in me;
of the troubles I fight hard to hide.
He whispers, "Peace" to my trembling heart;
As He wipes the tears from my eyes.
He comforts me with His loving words.
He calms the raging storms of  fear.
The Lord will take care of me;
His promise echoes in every tear.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

There Was No One

"...He was there alone..." Matthew 24:23

On a dark Judean night
Jesus sat by fire's light.
Friends were sleeping,
Most were home
Now Jesus sat, all alone.
No one cared to feel His pain.
No one cared to ease the strain.
There was no one to cradle Jesus.
He sat silently, within
His heart He cried,
"For you My friends, I will die.
I surrender My all that you may live.
Eternal life shall be Mine to give".
Alone, but not despaired
Jesus knew the Father cared,
Of His heartache and His pain;
The world's loss and heaven's gain.
He raised His tear filled eyes,
Toward the dark Judean sky;
There He found the strength forHis soul.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

He Uses Broken Pieces

"There came a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment and poured it on His head as He sat at meat."  Luke 26:7

Broken like the box of alabaster
Oil poured out like wine;
I am a piece of God's work
He has placed in this age of time.
He alone has broken me,
By His hand I am poured out;
That His power may rest upon me.
I believe God, I will not doubt.
Blessed is my LORD God
To Him all the glory be.
He uses broken pieces
He fits them into eternity.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Making My Way

"Who then is that faithful and wise steward whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give  them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is the servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing." Luke 12:42, 43

When the eyes of my heart
can no longer see
this purpose of life imposed upon me;
I simply look up, I trust Your ways
God of my youth, of infinite days.
Help me to know there
will be a time
when meat in due season
will be mine.
Not for myself
may it never be;
just for You, Lord
only for Your glory.

Author - Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com