Joy, Love and Peace

Christmas joy

A holy baby boy

Most wonderful love

Sent from heaven above

To fill our lives with light and peace

Joy, love and peace that will never cease

Christmas blessings

to one and all!

Make a Joyful Noise

Make a joyful noise,
lift up your voice.
Join the happy sounds of nature singing!
 

Enjoy the lovely day,
have fun, laugh and play.
Give thanks for each blessing the Lord is bringing.

http://www.childrenbooks.webs.com/

May your Christmas be filled with beauty and joy,

but don't forget the holy infant boy.

As you celebrate Santa's arrival

with the reindeer and sleigh,

don't forget the baby who was lying in the hay.

Wishing you peace and a season that's bright,

but don't forget the reason for the coming of the Light!

Make a Joyful Noise

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.”

Listen for the sounds of worshiping and mirth.

Hear the trilling songs of birds in the trees,

The music of the wind, sighing in a breeze.

A joyful noise could be from the barking of a dog,

A chorus of cicadas, the croaking of a frog,

The purring of a cat, content to be alive,

The buzzing of bees, swarming in their hive.

Each individual makes their own joyful sound,

The gurgle of a baby, children laughing all around,

Singing in the shower, dancing in the rain,

Shouting, running, clapping, calling Jesus’ name.

Creation contains a myriad of joyful sounds everywhere

Which may be heard as music, rejoicing, worship or prayer.

Whatever the sound might be or however it is perceived,

All joyful noises made to the Lord are lovingly received.

© Connie Arnold

I thought this illustration from my Animal Sound Mix-up children's book was appropriate for this poem. It was done by Kit Grady. If you would like to see more of her illustrations, feel free to visit her website.

Easter Gift

Remember Easter’s not just about bunnies

and the colored eggs they hide,

 or the pretty Easter baskets

with plenty of treats inside,

a day for families being together
with fun for each girl and boy, 

but there is a very special reason

for so much Easter joy.

Jesus, God’s son, came from Heaven

where He had lived before,

 died because of all the sin,

then rose to life once more.

That’s the reason for Easter joy,

the gift God sent from above,
the gift of life that Jesus gives

and the wonderful gift of love.

 Connie Arnold, 2011

Happy Easter!

Christmas Love

 We remember each year on Christmas day

Little baby Jesus lying in the hay.

In a wooden manger near the cows and sheep

Lay the son of God, peacefully asleep.

Shepherds watching their sheep that night

Suddenly saw a very bright light.

Angels said not to be afraid

But go see where baby Jesus was laid.

Everybody was filled with joy

Because of this tiny baby boy

Who is the greatest gift of all,

Although he was so very small.

Because of God's love Jesus came,

And he still loves us just the same.

At Christmas time and each day too

Remember that Jesus always loves you!

© Connie Arnold

Written for my grandsons, Luke, Noah & Jesse, 2009