Peeking Out From My Past--

Oh, hi! Come on in! Don't bonk your head on the doorway--it's a little low. So good to see you!

Tea or coffee? I'll just be a minute... won't you sit by the fire?

Oh, my visitors on the sofa? These are a few old friends of mine--very old friends. A couple of stories--a couple of poems--a couple of songs. And I think a drawing or two. They dropped by for a visit--haven't seen them in a while--and I find I didn't remember them quite accurately. Somehow I thought they were different--but then maybe I've changed.

This is the first--"And the Stars Remained". Why don't you get acquainted while I go find you a drink?

Noel (which just so happens to be part of my name...)

Sit still.
The silence
wants
a word.

...


Christmas.
The lull before the storm.
The time of preparation,
of promises kept
and of hopes lost.
Of all our dreams crashing
around our heads
and our souls coming to life.

Christmas.
The times we'll never have again
but have forever.
The warmth of reconciliation.
The icy distance of self.
The cheer-coated pinpricks.
The awkward "family" hug--
but it's alive
warm-blooded.

Christmas.
Songs--
of hope and of despair.
Of the burden falling off--
and realizing the burden was there.

Christmas.
Make room.
Scoot over.
Move out of the way for the King.

Christmas.
Let go.

Christmas.
Watch.
You'll never see this again.
Ever.
You can't rewind, fast-forward--
this is now.
Life is now.

Where will the Christ-child be this year?

A song of worship.

Hello--

The word seems to reverberate in my head tonight. It's been a while-- 

I'm working on many things to post--which will probably appear soon and very soon--but only this is ready right now. I have music to it--but unfortunately no equipment or experience recording. Eventually something might happen. But I'm not sure anytime soon. I'm still fiddling with the melody anyway.

Until then--if then--enjoy the lyrics. I'd love to hear suggestions as to better rhyme patterns, refinement of the theme... I think it still needs work but I'm not sure where.

...

(Verse 1)
You are my Banner
You I will follow
Wherever You lead me
There I will go

You are my Savior
You I belong to
Though I am sinful
You made me Yours

(Chorus)
I know I'm safe with You--
I know I'm safe with You--

(Verse 2)
You have a strong arm
You hold my weak heart
Whenever my hands fail
You are my strength

You, Lord, are righteous
You, Lord, are holy
Your love is unfailing
Your justice my hope

(Chorus)
I know I'm safe with You--
I know I'm safe  with You--
I know I'm safe with You--
I give my all to You.

(Bridge)
Every prayer You answer me
Every day You meet my needs
Every time I am alone
You are there

I know I'm safe with You.

I know.

I'm safe.

With You.