Poems for the JourneY
Poems by Elisa Sangiorgio, Inspirations by God
Contents:
Now, I know it's not Christmas, but since it's coming
soon, I would like to send this out now in hopes of maybe getting someone's attention and getting it sung by then. I think this has a powerful message to it. During Christmas, many of us have the tendency to get stuck in the decorations/presents/buying mode and don't truly concentrate on what Christmas is really all about. I know I was like that at one point. My family and I recently decided to stop giving presents, have a special time together to reflect on the true meaning, and give our money that would have been used for gifts to someone in need. Now I'm not saying my family is right, and we're such holy people now, and if you still celebrate Christmas the way you do, it's wrong. Not at all, it was just a decision my family and I decided, that's all. We occasionally put up the tree and lights, which we all still enjoy, but no more presents. Just a time to concentrate on what Christmas is really all about. Yes there is a joy in seeing a child's delight, the smile on their face, and light in their eyes, when they open a gift they've been waiting for, but we need to also make sure our children understand the true meaning behind it all. They need to understand that although gifts are fun to get, there are also gifts that don't come wrapped in boxes or pretty paper.God gave us the greatest gift of all....His Son Jesus. And if we "open" our hearts to Him, He will "wrap" us in His love. God sent Him down to us and not in the way we would expect a King to come. He didn't come down all decked out in regal robes, sitting on a throne. He came down in the form of a tiny baby, and humbled Himself even more by being born in a manger. He grew up, never had riches, and then humbled Himself even more by dying on a cross. He wasn't wrapped in ribbons, He wasn't wrapped in bows, but He was nailed to a tree. Not the kind we decorate in lights, or glass balls, or ornaments, but the kind that was shaped like a cross. And there was no angel to sit on top, but a crown of thorns in His head, and a sign proclaiming who He is. So, as we soon will sit down to all the hustle and bustle of opening gifts and singing Christmas carols, let us also take a few moments to reflect on the greatest gift of all....
It was Christmas Eve so long ago,
I was tucked inside my bed.
The things that I anticipated,
swam inside my head.
The presents, the tree,
decorations and lights,
were all things I thought about,
throughout that winter night.
Before the sun began to rise,
I was sitting by the tree,
tearing into all the gifts,
waiting there for me.
They were wrapped in ribbons,
They were wrapped in bows.
They were special gifts of love,
wrapped with care by those....
who loved me.
But there was Someone else who loved me,
One I didn’t know so well,
So my parents read the story,
that so many love to tell...
No Christmas tree nor presents,
just a manger bed and hay.
The stars up in the heavens,
Were the lights that led their way.
He wasn’t wrapped in ribbons,
He wasn’t wrapped in bows.
He was a special gift of love,
wrapped in swaddling clothes.
God gave us His most precious gift,
Put Him on a tree.
So, I open up my heart to Him,
This is what Christmas means to me.
As one of the most incredible tenors I've ever heard in my life, David Phelps will be included in this weeks Check it Out. David has taken the place of Jonathan Pierce in the Gaither Vocal Band and is truly
doing an outstanding job of it. His voice is so powerful, when he hits those hard notes, I get goose bumps! Not only is he a talented singer, he is also a wonderful person to know. Very humble and down to earth. So, please, check out his website and see what I mean! He even has his own solo album which has one of my favorite songs on it, "He's Alive", and I'm sure he does an incredible job of singing it! I'm a procrastinator, so I still haven't bought the album, but I sure will soon!!! :) So, CHECK IT OUT! David Phelps (http://www.davidphelps.com)My three year old niece, Stephanie, went with my parents to the airport to
drop my sister Ann off. While waiting for the plane to take off, we told her all about Ann's trip to Indiana. We even mentioned Indiana is where Bill Gaither lives. She also knows this from the Gaither videos, "Back Home in Indiana" where Bill talks about being "Back home in Indiana." :) When Ann returned home, Stephanie went with them again to pick her up. As the plane landed, Stephanie asked my parents, "Is Bill Gaither on that plane?" She then proceeded to tell me, over the phone, that "Annie went to Indiana to Bill Gaither's house and had dinner with him." Pretty smart, don't you think?We are all on a journey through life. Some of us get lost, some search for the truth, some have found the truth, and sometimes we all need a little "service station" along the way to continue on. These poems were written for that purpose; for those seeking to find life, for those who have it, but need a little lift, for those who have strayed and need directions back, and for those who just need a little encouragement. It is for every day living, experiences, heartaches that lead us to the realization that God is the only way, the only truth, and the only life. I pray my poems minister to your heart, and give you the energy, direction and encouragement that you need. If you ever wished to be removed, please send me an e-mail and I will remove you, no hard feelings. :) God bless.
