Above:  Live Nativity, St. Teresa’s Episcopal Church, Acworth, Georgia, December 22, 2012

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://plus.google.com/photos/114749828757741527421/albums/5824581108495648417/5824871211139750642?banner=pwa&pid=5824871211139750642&oid=114749828757741527421)

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It really, truly is Christmas!

And nothing have I to bring,

Nothing have I purchased

To give to this baby-King!

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No baubles or garlands or tinsel

Have I to hang near this manger bed,

No tags or soft cuddly blankets,

Only my heart’s yearning instead.

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A yearning have I to live closer

To Him every single day,

To show His great love to others

As I go along Life’s way;

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A glowing face that quickly smiles

At others on Life’s road;

A spirit that grows sweeter

As He lifts my heavy load.

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Compassion for these who are burdened,

Who seem held in the grip of despair;

A prayer for all who hunger

For His warm and loving care.

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A cheery word to all I meet,

A smile of joy and peace

That comes to those who’ve found

His comfort and release.

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These, yes these are the things I can bring

To Christ as my gifts today;

To lay at His nail-pierced feed

In gratitude for Christmas Day!

NELL BARRETT TAYLOR

CHRISTMAS, 1976

Above:  Christ Healing the Blind, by Nicolas Colombel

(Image in the Public Domain)

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Jno. 9, 4

1.  Jesus associates the disciples with him in the work of redemption.  Such is the greatness of the work in extend and intensity that he needs the help of all his children.

(a)  He came on a mission–had something to accomplish–to seek and save that which was lost.

(b)  We have the same mission.  “Even so send I you.”  “Go work in my vineyard.”  Each one has his own work to perform.

2.  He sees a great need of service.  There is the world of sin; men are to be reached.  He longs to relieve man’s need.

Can we not see a need for service?  Can’t we do something to help someone?  God pity us if our hearts do not respond to the call.

3.  There is a limit to our opportunity.  Time passes swiftly, night approaches.  We have no time to lose.  Yours is a service none else can render.

Go labor for him and receive wages.  “He that goeth forth bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again, bearing his sheaves with him.”

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Undated Primary Document from My Great-Grandmother

Scan Courtesy of Barbara Taylor Jackson

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

My great-grandmother gave birth to two sons and four daughters.  The two sons were Randolph Winburn Barrett (1905-?) and George Dickey Barrett (1910-1989).

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

AUGUST 17, 2013 COMMON ERA

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1.  Jesus, Lord of little children,

Lord today as yesterday,

From Thy radiant throne in glory,

Bend to hear us while we pray.

2.  By the shores of blue Genes’ret,

On their heads Thy hands were laid,

In Thy loving arms were babies,

Nestled gladly unafraid.

3.  While their mothers heard Thee saying,

“Let the children come to me,

Such as these make up Thy kingdom,

And in heav’n my Father see.”

4.  So to Thee we bring our baby,

Praying Thou wilt bless him now,

And in the years to follow,

With Thy grace his life endow.

NELLIE SEGUIN FOX BARRETT

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http://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/jesus-lord-of-little-children/

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Above:  The Sermon on the Mount, by Carl Bloch

(Painting in the Public Domain)

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EDITOR’S COMMENT:

I, for the sake of clarity, point out that my great-grandfather used the word “professor” to refer to one who professes something, not a person who teaches at a college or a university.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

AUGUST 17, 2013 COMMON ERA

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Matt. 5, 6

1.  The difference in men is in their motives, their longings which color the whole life.  All have some motive that outranks all else.  The heart is a kingdom with some sovereign passion.  One may not know just what is; but it is that which receives most thought & endeavor & gives the highest pleasure.

2.  Jesus says [that] the man who hungers after righteousness is blessed–has a passion for God.  “Religion is the autocrat of the heart.”  He demands the first place & is the soul’s very life:

(a)  A good appetite indicates a healthful body.  A hungering for God shows soundness of heart.  The most religious people strive for God more than any others.

(b)  The passion of professors for worldly pleasures, while the church work languishes, reveals an unsound heart, a loss of healthful appetite.  Such things can’t fill but produce satiety; often disappointment.

3.  All who yearn for & obey Him are filled with peace & joy–are satisfied with Him alone.

4.  How, then, may men have this warmth of affection?  By letting in His messages of love till the heart is warmed.  O for a yearning after God!

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT