Amazing Peace

*** Revised Common Lectionary *** Lectionary Reading: Philippians 4:4-7 CLASSIC POEM: A gentleness that grows James Russell Lowell A gentleness that grows of steady faith; A joy that sheds it sunshine everywhere; A humble strength and readiness to bear Those burthens which strict duty ever lay’th Upon our souls;—which unto sorrow saith, “Here is no soil for thee to strike thy roots, Here only grow those sweet and precious fruits; Which ripen for the soul that well obey’th; A patience which the world can neither give Nor take away; a courage strong and high, That dares in simple usefulness to live, And without one sad look behind to die When that day comes;—these tell me that our love Is building for itself a home above. *** This poem is in the public domain, and may be read in a live-streamed worship service. CONTEMPORARY POEM: Amazing Peace Maya Angelou SNIPPET: Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters, Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air. The world is encouraged to come away from rancor, Come the way of friendship. It is the Glad Season. Thunder ebbs to silence and lightning sleeps quietly in the corner. Flood waters recede into memory. Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us As we make our way to higher ground. … [ READ THE FULL POEM ]