Saturday, December 22, 2012

The Littlest Christmas Tree


The Littlest Christmas Tree


The littlest Christmas tree,
lived in a meadow of green,
Among a family,
of tall evergreens,
He learned how to whisper,
the evergreen song,
with the slightest of wind,
that came gently along.

He watched as the birds,
made a home out of twigs,
and couldn't wait till, 
he too was big.
For all of the trees,
offered a home,
the maple, the pine, and the oak,
who's so strong.

"I hate being little",
the little tree said,
"I can't even turn colors,
like the maple turns red",
"I can't help the animals,
like the mighty old oak",
"He shelters them all,
in his wide mighty cloak".

The older tree said,
"Why little tree you don't know?
The story of a mighty king,
from the land with no snow?"
Little tree questioned,
"A land with no snow?"
"Yes!" said old tree,
"A very old story,
from so long ago".

"A star appeared, 
giving great light,
over a manger, 
on long winters night.
A baby was born, 
a king of all kings,
and with him comes love, 
over all things."

"He lived in a country,
all covered in sand,
and laid down his life,
to save all of man.'

Little tree thought of the gift
given by him,
then the big tree said with the 
happiest grin,
"We're not just trees,
but a reminder of that day,
there's a much bigger part,
of a role that we play!"

"For on Christmas eve,
my life I'll lay down,
in exchange for a happier,
loving ground.
And as I stand dying,
they'll adorn me in trim,
this all will be done,
in memory of him".

"Among a warm fire, 
with family and friends,
in the sweet songs of Christmas,
I'll find my great end,
then ever so gently,
he'll come down to see,
and take me to heaven,
Jesus and me".

"So you see little tree,
we are not like the oak,
who shelters all things,
beneath his great cloak.
Nor are we like the maple
in fall,
who's colors leave many,
standing in awe".

"The gift that we give,
is ourselves, limb for limb,
the greatest of honor,
in memory of him".

The little tree bowed, 
his head down and cried,
and thought of the king, 
who willingly died.
For what kind of gift,
can anyone give?
Then to lay down your life,
when you wanted to live.

A swelling of pride 
came over the tree,
Can all of this happen?
Because of just me?
Can I really bring honor?
By adorning a home?
By reminding mankind,
that he's never alone?

With this thought, little tree,
began singing with glee,
Happy and proud,
to be a true Christmas tree.

You can still hear them singing,
even the smallest in height,
singing of Christmas,
and that one holy night.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless


If there is a person or persons that have no Church home .
I am a member of the Neighborhood Church ,,Easley ,S.C
And I do invite you to come see , our sunday morning service .
If you need direction , contact Davesworld@AOL.com or janlbagwell@bellsouth.net

Friday, December 21, 2012

Christmas: When Your Heart Grows Three Sizes


Christmas: When Your Heart Grows Three Sizes

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

In Dr. Seuss’ classic Christmas tale, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch suffers from having a small heart. The source of his heart problem is his lack of understanding the meaning of Christmas. As the story goes, the Grinch tries to put a stop to Christmas, but in the end, he comes to understand what Christmas is all about and his heart grows three sizes! This heart change makes a big difference in his life.

I’m not sure what Dr. Seuss’ intentions were when he wrote the story back in 1957, but it certainly comes across as a Christian parable to me that parallels the change that takes place in a person’s life when he or she comes to understand the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Jesus, God’s Son, who was born to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). When the light of the Good News of Jesus dawns upon the heart of a person, God replaces the old heart of stone, with a new, fleshy heart – and a new person emerges. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“Welcome Christmas – While we stand – Heart to heart – And hand in hand.”[1] It might just make all the difference in the world.

Holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in;
Be born in us today!

We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!
(from O Little Town of Bethlehem)

We celebrate Christmas because of the power Jesus brought to change our hearts.

Going Deeper:

Give an example of a time when you changed your mind about something.
How did the words or actions of others influence your change of heart?
Towards the end of the story “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” what happened that caused the Grinch to change his mind about Christmas? What lessons might we learn from the story?
How has understanding the true meaning of Christmas made a difference in your life?
Family Time: Gather your family together and watch the classic half-hour Christmas cartoon, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Then, using the content above, lead your family in a discussion about how Jesus has the power to change our hearts.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Merry Christmas !

Thursday, December 20, 2012

What Makes Christmas ?


What Makes Christmas ?

Twas not the angels’ singing
That gave the Christmas thought
Nor yet the gold and incense
Which the wise men had brought .

Twas not the star that led them
Upon their unknown way
It was the birth of Jesus
That make our Christmas day!

So it is not the presents
That make our Christmas day ;
Tis not what we receive that counts
But what we give away .

The joy of loving service
Makes all the day seem bright ,
The thought of others’ pleasure ,
With self put out of sight .

Oh , Never mourn that Christmas
Comes only once a year
Because it is our giving
That brings the Christmas cheer .

Then keep the Christmas spirit
Within our hearts always ,
And through the year thus make it
A Christmas every day .

Jan Bagwell
God Bless
If there is a person or persons that have no Church home .
I am a member of  the   Neighborhood Church ,,Easley ,S.C 
And I do invite you to come see , our sunday morning  service .
If you need direction , contact Davesworld@AOL.com or janlbagwell@bellsouth.net

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

First Christmas in Heaven


First Christmas In Heaven

First Christmas In Heaven
I’ve had my first Christmas in heaven,
A glorious , wonderful day !
I stood with saints of the ages
Who found Christ , the Truth, and the Way .

I sang with the heavenly choir ;
Just think ! I , who so long to sing !
And oh ! what celestial music
We brought to our Saviour and King !

We sang the glad songs of redemption ,
How Jesus to Bethlehem came ,
And how they had called His name Jesus ,
That all might be saved through His name .

We sang once again with the angels ,
The song that they sang that blest morn ,
When shepherds first heard the glad story
That Jesus , the Saviour , was born .

O , dear one , I wish you had been here ;
No Christmas on earth could compare
With all the rapture and glory
We witnessed in Heaven so fair .

You know how I always loved Christmas ;
It seemed such a wonderful day ,
With all of my loved ones around me ,
The children so happy and gay .

Yes , now I can see why I loved it ,
And , O , what a joy it would be ,
When all of my loved ones are with me ,
To share in the glories I see ,

So dear ones on earth , here’s my greeting :
Look up till the day dawn appears ,
And , Oh , what a Christmas awaits us ,
Beyond all our parting and tears
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
This poem is in reminiscence my Brother , Larry Bagwell , he was more than a brother , he was best friend . He been in heaven for a few years now , but I would like to think , this is from him . The way I write these poems is , I sit and pray and what come in my head I write . I cannot add a verse or take one away . It only worked when I write what I feel I am given . I give all the glory to God my Father .To my friends that have lost love ones , I pray this brings some comforted to you .

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Twelve Christmas Angels


Twelve Christmas Angels

Twelve Christmas Angels
Twelve Christmas angels met
Up near the Milky Way;
To discuss why joy was missing,
From the Christmas holiday.

It gave them so much sadness,
As they tracked the negative trend;
So each decided to do their part,
To bring this madness to an end.

Angel one would touch memories,
Reminding of the blessings of life;
Angel two would tenderize hard hearts,
Removing bitterness and strife.

Angel three would gather families,
From far reaches of the earth;
Then stir feelings of love and peace,
Giving hope and joy new birth.

Angel four would return Merry
And Christ to holiday greetings.
Angel five would clear calendars,
To make time for family meetings.

Angels six would flame enthusiasm,
Angels seven would spread cheer;
Angel eight would grow generosity,
Angel nine would diminish fear.

Angel ten would dispel darkness,
By lighting colorful decorations;
Angel eleven would draw the lonely,
To warm and friendly celebrations.

Angel twelve would have the hardest job,
Bringing wonder back to each heart;
And reminding all the people,
Of how Christmas had its start.

So with haste they met the challenge,
And made everything all right;
They restored the joy and happiness,
Before that Christmas night.

So Merry Christmas then to one and all,
May every tongue employ;
And thank you Christmas angels,
For bringing back the Christmas joy!

Jan Bagwwell
God Bless !!

Monday, December 17, 2012

Flowers Leave Their Fragrance on the Hand That Bestows Them stows Them This old Chinese proverb , if practiced each day , Would change the whole world In a wonderful way- Its truth is so simple , It’s so easy to do , And it works every time And sucessfully ,too For you can’t do a kindness Without a reward , Not in silver nor gold But in joy from the Lord- You can’t light a candle To show others the way With out feeling the warmth Of that bright little ray – And you can’t pluck a rose , All fragrant with dew , Without part of its fragrance Remaining with you . And whose hands bestow More fragrant bouquets Than Mother who daily speaks kind words of praise , A mother whose courage And comfort and cheer Lights bright little candles In hearts through the year- No wonder the hands Of an unselfish mother Are symbols of sweetness Unlike any other . Jan Bagwell God Bless !!!


Flowers Leave Their Fragrance on the Hand That Bestows Them

This old Chinese proverb ,
if practiced each day ,
Would change the whole world
In a wonderful way-
Its truth is so simple ,
It’s so easy to do ,
And it works every time
And sucessfully ,too
For you can’t do a kindness
Without a reward ,
Not in silver nor gold
But in joy from the Lord-
You can’t light a candle
To show others the way
With out feeling the warmth
Of that bright little ray –
And you can’t pluck a rose ,
All fragrant with dew ,
Without part of its fragrance
Remaining with you .
And whose hands bestow
More fragrant bouquets
Than Mother who daily
speaks kind words of praise ,
A mother whose courage
And comfort and cheer
Lights bright little candles
In hearts through the year-
No wonder the hands
Of an unselfish mother
Are symbols of sweetness
Unlike any other .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!!
Merry Christmas