Apples of Gold

The Nativity

by C.S. Lewis

Among the oxen (like an ox I'm slow)
I see glory in the stable grow
Which, with an ox's dullness might at length
Give me an ox's strength.

Among the asses (stubborn I as they)
I see my Savior where I looked for hay;
So may my beastlike folly learn at least
The patience of a beast.

Among the sheep (I like a sheep have strayed)
I watch the manger where my Lord is laid;
Oh that my baa-ing nature would win thence
Some woolly innocence!

Thank you to Jared for sharing this C.S. Lewis poem.

posted by Linda @ 2:30 PM 0 comments

Let It Be to Me

Greatly troubled
Am I
At the saying
How can this be
I try to discern
What it means
The explanation
From on High
Is mysterious
Incredible
Unfathomable
Jesus
Son of the Highest
Swirls of thoughts
What shall I do
What shall I say
It is He
The One
I've been waiting
I've been praying
A long time
I have no other choice
But to surrender
Sweet surrender
Come
Prince of Peace
Your will be done
Not mine
Let it be to me
According to Your word

(Inspired by Luke 1:26-38)

© Linda Hayase 2004

posted by Linda @ 10:02 PM 1 comments

Mary and Martha's Christmas

Martha looked around and called, "Mary, where are you? I need you to help me!"

Mary's voice piped up from the other room. "Oh Martha, I'm here…sitting at the feet of Jesus."

Big sigh. Martha shook her head. "Well, we've got work to do. First, we need to decorate the house. Remember those garlands I bought? We've got to untangle the vines so I can put them up."

Mary softly answered. "Let's sit at the feet of Jesus first. He is the True Vine; let's abide in Him. We cannot bear fruit unless we abide in Him."

Martha squinted and looked at the garland carefully. "C'mon, help me out here. I want to hang this garland. Won't it look nice to have it draped over the door when we walk in?"

Mary replied, "Let's sit at the feet of Jesus first. He is the Door. If we enter by Him, we will be saved."

Martha waved her hand distractedly. "Yeah, yeah….but there's so much to be done. We also have to hang the Christmas lights. That takes a lot of time, you know. Have you seen the next door neighbors' tent ? They've gone all out this year. Even their camel is sporting battery-powered lights!"

Mary said, "Let's sit at the feet of Jesus first. He is the Light of the World. If we follow Him, we will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life."

Martha sighed again. "We don't have time for that. There are tons of presents to wrap. And we mustn't forget all the Christmas baking to be done! I've got to get started on the sugar cookies, the fig cookies, the pomegranate cookies, the milk and honey cookies….Oh, and mustn't forget the banana bread! Speaking of which, I'm hungry. We should eat."

The soft voice answered, "Let's sit at the feet of Jesus first. He is the Bread of Life. If we go to Him, we shall never hunger or thirst."

Martha stomped her feet and yelled, "Am I the only one who cares about anything here? I feel like I'm all alone!"

Mary came into the room and gave her a hug. She smiled gently and said, "Dear Sister, you are never alone. Jesus is Immanuel. God With Us."

With a look of concern, she brushed a hair off Martha's wrinkled forehead. "Are you overwhelmed, Sis?" Martha hung her head. When she looked up, she could barely speak. Trembling, she said, "Yes, I am. I am so very tired."

Mary carefully untied Martha's apron strings and hung it up. She rubbed her shoulders and said, "Martha, Jesus came so that we may have life and that more abundantly. You are a hard worker, Sis. But there's a time to work and there's a time to worship. Do you remember that time you got caught up serving when Jesus was here?"

Martha nodded. "Yes, I do. I was so angry! Here I was immersed in preparations for the Lord's arrival, and when I went to get help from you, there you were sitting at the feet of Jesus, hanging on to His every Word. When I demanded that He ask you to help me, I was surprised by His response. He said, `Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."'

There was silence as she remembered the look of love Jesus had given her.

A slow grin spread over Martha's face. "Mary…I have an idea."

Mary smiled. "Yes?"

Martha said, "Let's sit at the feet of Jesus first."


© Linda Hayase 2004

posted by Linda @ 6:00 AM 0 comments