2022 December

 

We Watch for Christ to Come Again

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/1/22

 

We watch for Christ to come again,

For the end of this age.

In the beginning all began,

In the Bible’s first page.

 

In the beginning all was made,

In what we call six days.

In darkness, Christ called out, and bade,

God's light to light our ways.

 

Thus, time began with day and night,

The seasons and the years.

As it began, it'll end alright,

As Earth's last day now nears.

 

The day will come as days do come,

But this will change it all.

Watch and see what life will become,

When the Lord comes to call.

 

It All Began at Christmas Time

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/3/22

 

It all began at Christmas time,

So very long ago.

God had a reason and a rhyme,

To share with us below.

 

We celebrate that Christ has come,

And dwelled among us here.

In Bethlehem it was begun,

When Jesus did appear.

 

So here, two thousand years later,

We celebrate today.

God is not just a spectator,

God's in the world to stay.

 

Rejoice the Lord Is King of Kings

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/4/22

 

Rejoice, the Lord is King of kings,

And also Prince of Peace.

The Lord to us salvation brings,

Our bondage to release.

 

Rejoice, the Lord is Christ Jesus,

Who's called Emmanuel.

Which means forever, “God with us.”

Among us. God does well.

 

Rejoice, the Lord is one of us.

The Lord has walked the walk.

And so, we will walk with Jesus,

And we will talk the talk.

 

Rejoice, the Lord is here today,

When gather two or more.

We'll sing God's praises, and we'll pray,

Now and forevermore.

 

Today We Worship and We Pray

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/5/22

 

Today we worship and we pray.

We celebrate it’s Christmas.

For long ago upon this day,

Was the birth of Jesus.

 

By the Lord Almighty's mercy,

In the midst of that dark night,

God revealed to us what might be,

When the earth's wrongs were made right.

 

A new heaven and a new earth,

For the old ones now would pass.

All was revealed by the Lord's birth,

And the very first Christmas.

 

Look Around and See What You See

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/6/22

 

Look around and see what you see.

Look for signs of Christ return.

Wondrous things are all around us.

And from them, what might we learn?

God is with us. God is with us.

Refrain:

Watch for signs of Christ’s return.

Watch for signs of Christ’s return.

 

Let's proclaim to all the people,

What we see and what we hear.

How people's lives are being changed,

Because God is with us here.

Emmanuel. Emmanuel.

Refrain:

 

Share with others what all you see,

That brings you both hope and peace.

The hungry fed and the blind see.

The lame walk. And the wars cease.

God is with us. Emmanuel.

Refrain:

 

God Is with Us

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/7/22

 

God is with us. Emmanuel.

Let us to all the world now tell.

For the good news is given to us.

By our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

Refrain:

God is with us. God is with us.

As we follow the Lord Jesus.

God is with us. God is with us.

Emmanuel. God is with us.

 

God is with us. We feel God's love.

For God is what God is made of.

We give thanks that God has blessed us,

By sending us the Lord Jesus.

Refrain:

 

Jesus came that we'd see God's face,

And also experience God's grace.

For Christ showed us how to forgive.

And thus, forgiven to fully live.

 

Are We to Wait for Another

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/8/22

 

“Are we to wait for another?”

From prison John asked of Christ.

Had John perceived something other,

That Jesus had not sufficed?

 

Jesus responded back and said,

Just see what all had been done.

He healed the sick and raised the dead.

All done by the Holy One.

 

Today, what might the skeptics see,

Being done in Jesus’ Name?

What miracles might now there be,

that believers can proclaim?

 

Today we are Christ's hands and feet.

Ask for guidance when we pray.

What might we do, some need to meet.

Do something for Christ today.

 

It’s Christmastime Again

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/9/22

 

It's Christmas time again.

We lift our voice in song,

For Christ was born in Bethlehem.

Come now and sing along.

 

For when the world was dark,

The Lord's love shone most bright.

The Angels sang and did remark,

Come now and seek the light.

 

The shepherds came to see,

What to them had been told.

The Prince of Peace had come to be.

Come now and Christ, behold.

 

God shares with us good news.

Jesus came to save us.

New life in Jesus we can choose.

Come now, worship Jesus.

 

God’s Love Came to the Earth

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/10/22

 

God's love came to the earth,

On the first Christmas Day.

How might we celebrate Christ's birth,

By how we Live Today.

 

It's more than giving gifts,

Or eating too much food,

How might we, another soul, uplift,

By the News we call Good?

 

For so much God loved us,

Despite all of our sin,

That to the world God sent Jesus,

A new world to begin.

 

May Christ today renew,

Our lives forevermore.

That for Christ, we might always do,

What we're created for.

 

People Silently Watch and Wait

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/11/22

 

People silently watch and wait,

For something to appear.

Now is the time we anticipate,

For the Lord to draw near.

 

We do not know the hour.

We do not know the day.

Christ will come with life-changing power.

It might just be today.

 

Today again, we'll watch,

For when the Lord arrives.

We'll notch it up another notch,

For Christ to change our lives.

 

Joseph Had Godly Dreams

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/12/22

 

Joseph had godly dreams,

To guide him on his way.

As God spoke to Joseph, it seems,

God speaks through dreams today.

 

Each day we have a choice.

What's God saying to you?

Pay attention to God's voice,

About what you might do.

 

Know that you are the one,

Whose purpose God has willed.

Believe that God's will, will be done.

God’s dream will be fulfilled.

 

Jesus Will Come for You

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/13/22

 

Remember what the Lord has said,

Jesus will come for you.

There is nothing to fear or dread.

Jesus will come for you.

Refrain:

Jesus will come for you.

He'll come one day, for He's the Way.

Jesus will come for you.

Jesus will come for you.

 

May heavenly light lead you forward,

Jesus will come for you.

You can let go and be with the Lord.

Jesus will come for you.

Refrain:

 

When your time comes, you will pass o’er.

Jesus will come for you.

You'll be with loved ones forevermore.

Jesus will come for you.

Refrain:

 

Trust in God, whose mercy will suffice.

Jesus will come for you.

You will live on in paradise.

Jesus will come for you.

Refrain:

 

We Study the Scriptures

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/14/22

 

We study the scriptures that God might speak to us,

And guide us in the ways that we may all live.

May we gain wisdom as followers of Jesus.

All honor and glory to him, let us give.

 

Let us join our hearts with the heavenly chorus,

Who announced the birth at Christ's nativity.

Then on the cross Christ was crucified for us,

That we'd be forgiven, and our souls set free.

 

For all that the Lord's done and now is still doing,

May we truly thank God, and to God sing praise.

May we help rescue the lost sheep God's pursuing,

That all might praise the Lord for the rest of our days.

 

When We Pray to God

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/15/22

 

When we pray to God, God hears every word.

Pray for God's guidance along the way.

Turn your heart to God, for your prayer’s been heard.

Pray for God's guidance along the way.

Refrain:

Praying. Praying. Praying to God throughout the day.

Praying. Praying. Pray for God's guidance along the way.

 

We give thanks to God, who knows everything.

Pray for God's guidance along the way.

God will assist us, to do the right thing.

Pray for God's guidance along the way.

Refrain:

 

Pray for God's guidance along the way.

Spend some time in prayer, listening for God's word.

God will guide you to do what you have heard.

Pray for God's guidance along the way.

Refrain:

 

In Winter’s Cold We Watch and Wait

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/16/22

 

In Winter's cold, we watch and wait,

for Christ to come among us.

Like sentries standing at the gate,

we watch for signs of Jesus.

 

Signs may be large and life changing,

or very small and subtle.

But watch and see, what change they bring,

our old ways to unsettle.

 

For God is making all things new,

and Christ is the beginning.

The end of days comes into view,

for all the souls Christ’s winning.

 

Don't be left standing at the gate,

when Christ comes back and calls us.

Get ready now, don’t hesitate,

to follow the Lord Jesus.

 

Angels Did Sing

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/17/22

 

Angels did sing to let shepherds know Jesus was coming.

They proclaimed the Good News that Jesus’ love would be bringing.

Lift up your voice, and with the angels rejoice.

Through every carol we’re singing.

 

Angels did sing to shepherds who began to wonder.

The message shook them. The song sounded like it was thunder.

They then must see, where are the new baby would be.

In the village over yonder.

 

Angels did sing all together as a mighty chorus.

Proclaiming to us that God sent Jesus to earth for us.

Let us proclaim. The power that's in Christ's name.

As we share our faith in Jesus.

 

In the Quiet of a Cold Night

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/18/22

 

In the quiet of a cold night,

There a star shone brilliantly bright.

And to shepherds on a hillside,

Angels sang. God was glorified.

 

In a manger, in a stable,

God Almighty there was able,

To bring peace upon the whole Earth,

With the Christ child's wondrous birth.

 

Angels sang to tell the story,

And reveal to us God's glory.

God sent Jesus to restore us.

Praise the name of our Lord Jesus.

 

In awe, shepherds listened to a,

Choir singing, “Hallelujah.”

Praising God, the heavenly chorus,

Announced the birth of the Lord Jesus.

 

As We Prepare for Christmas

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/19/22

 

As we prepare for Christmas,

We have so long a list.

When stuff becomes the focus,

The true meaning is missed.

Refrain:

Christ came to be the light,

That we might see all clearly,

Through faith’s holy insight.

 

As we encounter others,

Struggling throughout the day.

They're our sisters and brothers,

May we show them the Way.

Refrain:

 

Some are completely clueless,

What Christmas is about.

May we point out this Christmas,

Our faith without a doubt.

Refrain:

 

We Come to the Manger

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/20/22

 

We come to the manger,

Every Christmas Eve,

To see the Lord Jesus,

His love to receive.

For God so loved the world,

The Lord Jesus came,

That we'd be forgiven,

In Jesus' name.

 

With all of the shepherds,

We hear the Good News.

The Lord has come to us,

And asks us to choose,

To follow his teachings,

For he is the Way,

And to invite others,

To believe today.

 

This Is the Time of Year

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/21/22

 

This is the time of year,

When Christ's birth we celebrate,

And understand what all it means,

As we now contemplate.

For God so loved the world,

That God gave to us, Jesus.

Who lived and died and rose again,

Because God so loved us.

 

This is the time of year,

When so many, the point miss.

There is no doubt they don't think about,

The meaning of Christmas.

So let us tell the truth,

It's not about the presents.

It's about how much God loves us.

It's about Christ's presence.

 

This is the time of year,

For us to turn to the Lord,

And give thanks for all the Lord has done,

Because we're so adored.

So, celebrate today,

God's love has come to you.

With hope and mercy, grace and peace,

God’s making all things new.

 

Joseph Had Godly Dreams (continued)

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/22/22

 

Joseph had godly dreams,

That warned him in his day.

God may still be speaking, it seems.

Listen! What does God say?

 

God warned Joseph to flee,

To head to Egypt land.

To escape Herod's treachery,

God led him by the hand.

 

Each time when the Lord spoke,

God opened Joseph's eyes.

Every time when Joseph awoke,

The dreams were realized.

 

The Angel Came to Say

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/23/22

 

The Angel came to say,

To Mary in her room,

To be aware, that she would bear,

The Christ child in her womb.

The Angel came to say,

“Fear not. Peace be with you.

For God does ask, accept your task.

Do what God asks of you.”

 

The Angel came to say,

To Joseph in his dreams.

Do not tarry, marry Mary.

All is not as it seems.

The Angel came to say.

To Joseph once again.

For Christ’s safety to Egypt, flee.

When it's safe, you'll be told then.

 

The Angel came to say,

To shepherds on a hill,

In that small town, if they’d go down.

In a manger they'd find a child.

The Angel came to say.

“Glory to God on high.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Glory to God on high.”

 

We Sing at Christmas

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/24/22

 

We sing at Christmas,

Of the Lord's glory,

Christ come among us,

God's love revealed.

When all seemed hopeless,

Here in the darkness.

God the world did bless.

Brokenness healed.

 

The baby Jesus,

There in a manger,

God's love among us.

And for us too.

We celebrate now,

and we are grateful.

We understand how,

The world's made new.

 

For those who don't know,

Of the Lord Jesus,

How might our love show,

To them the way?

Come, join the chorus,

Singing God's praises.

What God's done for us,

On Christmas Day!

 

Come, Let’s Join the Caroling

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/25/22

 

Come, let's join the caroling,

On this Christmas Day.

With the angels, let us sing,

For Christ is born today.

 

In Bethlehem in Judea,

A child was born that night.

It was God's perfect idea,

All things would be made right.

 

The angels came down to sing,

To shepherds on the hill.

Good News to them, they did bring.

That Good News is sung still.

 

Then the shepherds went to see,

This most wondrous thing.

A child for all who would be,

The Christ of whom we sing.

 

Let us return to Bethlehem,

To see this glorious sight.

Let us celebrate with them,

What God revealed that night.

 

We Dare to Dream the Dream of God

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/27/22

 

We dare to dream the dream of God,

To guide us on our way.

We may serve here or serve abroad.

Be ready come what may.

Uniquely, God has gifted us.

And serving is our theme.

As we follow the Lord Jesus.

We are living the dream.

 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,

For we have been so blessed.

If we but go, where God says, “Go!”

Then God will do the rest.

At the right time, at the right place,

We'll be there for someone,

To offer God's mercy and grace,

Until our task is done.

 

Listen and Hear the Angels Sing

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/28/22

 

Listen and hear the angels sing.

Rejoice! Good News to us they bring.

In Bethlehem, they point us towards,

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

 

For, by this news we all are blessed.

Glory to God in the highest.

And peace on Earth to all of us,

For the Lord God sent us Jesus.

 

For God has sent us this good news,

For all the Gentiles and the Jews.

And for those who do not believe,

That they just might on Christmas Eve.

 

Glory to God on High

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/29/22

 

Glory to God on high,

For all that God has done.

God sent to us the Lord Jesus.

God bless us, everyone.

Refrain:

Glory, glory, glory to God on high.

 

Glory to God we shout.

Glory to God we sing.

For we are grateful for God's grace,

And for every blessing.

Refrain:

 

Glory to God we show.

Glory to God we give.

When we love others as ourselves,

Our faith in God, we live.

Refrain:

 

With the Angels Stand in Awe

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/30/22

 

With the angels stand in awe,

Of what the prophets foresaw.

All in God's time there would be,

A baby born most holy.

Refrain:

Jesus Christ is born today.

 

With the Angels let us sing.

Good news to the Earth they bring.

In Bethlehem a child is born.

Play the harp and blow the horn.

Refrain:

 

With the angels we proclaim,

We will never be the same.

Good News comes to all the Earth,

With the Blessed Baby's birth.

Refrain:

 

With the Angels share the news,

That this day, we all must choose.

If in Jesus, we'll believe,

And this gift we will receive.

Refrain:

 

The Shepherds out on a Quiet Hill

                        Rev. Jeffrey B. Childs 12/31/22

 

The shepherds out on a quiet hill,

Heard a glorious sound.

In the town so quiet and still,

The Christ child would be found.

Refrain:

We’re looking for Jesus.

We’re looking for Jesus.

We're looking for Jesus.

Look for him all around.

 

The shepherds came into Bethlehem,

Full of hope and wonder,

To see what had been told to them,

The child in a Manger. Refrain:

Refrain:

 

We still can look for him today,

For he is always near.

When two or more gather to pray,

Jesus is always here.

Refrain: