Gifts 12-28-08

Gifts surround my Christmas tree
from all the ones I love -
but none surpass the perfect gift
of Jesus up above.

©200 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He sent His only..."

That Empty Rocker 12-27-08

Pull up that empty rocker - and spill your problems Dear.
I may have no solutions but my memory is clear.

No one can steal the memories - the memories I know -
of pine trees holding branches up - though drooping under snow.

There's only good in cold lakes if we're the frozen duck -
and that's how we find blessings - when we are down in luck.

No. Nothing's ever perfect - and we're not always glad,
unless we see the blessings - in both the good and bad.

We slide down every hillside - with chilly hands and toes -
but sunshine on our faces - should be how sledding goes.

I was told to "stick it out". It is what I was taught.
Yes, he and I were loving - despite what others thought.

Oh, often there were trying times - priorities to sort -
and working close together, our tempers could run short.

It took some perseverance when I was "up to bat",
but giving up comes easy - and many do just that.

Unlike many moms and dads, we always stuck together,
but Christmas time was special in any kind of "weather".

My gifts were quite abundant under every Christmas tree -
but what I lacked in substance I could hold in memory.

He wasn't always thoughtful, at Christmas year to year -
but he was my tremendous gift, as he was always here.

I know your troubled marriage. I sense it's no more fun -
but notice all my gifts are here - all my gifts but one.

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Family Christmas 12-17-08

Aside from better and the worse,
aside from workers so perverse,
aside from friends who are diverse,
time with those I most converse,
is family.

Aside from jokes on my behalf,
aside from every quip or gaffe,
aside from the whole office staff,
time with those I'd rather laugh,
is family.

Aside from worldly wisdom's trend,
aside from strangers I befriend,
aside from those I can depend,
time with those I'd rather spend,
is family.

Aside from all the lights I see,
aside from all the joy and glee,
aside from any Christmas tree,
the all important thing to me,
is family.

©2008 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Christmas 12-16-08

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Christmas is a time to care,
A time to love with gifts to share.
Lift your voice, sing carols out -
for that's what Christmas is about.

©2008 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
www.ganderpoems.org

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Lights Of Christmas 12-16-08

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With people running to and fro
Christmas time would come and go.
All in smiles, in sunshine grow -
but I, in blackness, could not glow.

Inside living differently,
sorting through my mess -
yet nothing changed inside of me
Confused I lived in darkness.

Christmas days - I'd learn to cope,
I'd live through each quite aimless.
But this time though - a speck of hope,
pierced right through my darkness.

This Christmas night - a manger scene,
was lit under the blackness.
I saw it no more as routine -
as something pierced my darkness.

A simple manger in the night
that only God could bless.
And just that little speck of light
pierced right through my darkness.

That night a star - shone up above,
so bright the night could not suppress.
And that was when - a speck of love
pierced right through my darkness.

I saw that day - a baby boy,
Surrounded by all humbleness.
And then I knew - a speck of joy
pierced right through my darkness.

As I felt my sorrows cease,
and knelt there to confess,
was then I felt - a speck of peace
pierced right through my darkness.

I heard behind me snickering
I felt the chilly breeze.
but it was there I saw the light
while praying on my knees.

That blackness in me fell apart.
I knew there at that stable,
a light had pierced my buried heart.
I glow - for He is able.

©2008 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
www.ganderpoems.org

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Humble Child 12-15-08

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Dreams, a wish, a want and cloud,
I chased a rainbow all allowed....
I saw futility.

Career, work, a job and more,
opportunities, times, an open door....
I grasped futility!

I entered life I could not shut -
in filth and mud - then in a rut....
I wore futility!

I scaled the ladder - oh, so high -
the lights below I couldn't buy....
I lived futility!

In total darkness, there I was -
you asked me "why"? I said "because"....
In full futility!

Then humbled there, I saw a child,
as I looked down, He saw I smiled....
- and then He set me free.

©2008 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
www.ganderpoems.org

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The Pain Of Sin 12-14-08

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It has started every war.
Don't believe, and see what is in store.
It deceives. It’s rotten to the core.
Sin's killed millions – hundreds of millions -
and it will kill millions more.

Have you ever cried and screamed out loud - to stop man's ugly riot?
Someone lies to everyone. Despite all efforts, you can't forget.
Have you had nightmares, where you're in pain, and break out in a sweat?
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night - when it is all but quiet?

Have you ever cried and screamed out loud - but no one hears a peep?
Someone wrongs you, no one hears - as pain hits bottoms' deep.
Have you had nightmares, where you're in pain, but have no tears to weep?
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night - and can't go back to sleep?

Have you ever cried and screamed out loud? You've heard the same old song.
Someone hurts a lot of folk. You could see it all along....
Have you had nightmares, where you're in pain, though you have done no wrong?
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night - and knew you don't belong?

Have you ever cried and screamed out loud - and yelled, "I told you so!"
but it doesn't do a bit of good - as you hear their hot air blow?
Have you had nightmares, where you're in pain, because of "quid pro quo"?
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night – and sometimes yell out "NO!"?

Have you ever cried and screamed out loud - but it's all inside your head?
Someone kills a lot of folk - and you can see them dead?
Have you had nightmares - where you're in pain? Could it be you instead?
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night - as you see it ahead....?

It has started every war.
Don't believe, and see what is in store.
It deceives. It’s rotten to the core.
Sin's killed millions – hundreds of millions -
and it will kill millions more.

©2008 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
www.ganderpoems.org
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Where Is The Greater Love? 12-14-08

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Where is the greater love?

when someone hugs another,
when a wee one hugs her mother,
when strangers hug each other?

Where is the greater love?

when a king respects his base,
when two enemies embrace,
when a smile grows on a face?

Where is the greater love?

in those who haven't any clue,
in those who cannot follow through,
in forgiving those who know not what they do?

Where is the greater love?

when truth is now uncovered,
when a babe is soon discovered,
when sacrifice is finally covered?

Where is the greater love?

when one forfeits his very gun,
when presents are for merely fun,
when God gave us His only Son?

Where is the greater love?

©2008 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
www.ganderpoems.org/

Luke 23:34 "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
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