Snowflakes

A Christmas Thought

By Jerry McArthur

Soft snowflakes descending from high up above,
Are minuscule ice-crystals reflecting Gods Love.

Each beautiful and different in structure and style,
Are only lent to us, for a very short while.

But while here with us, and covering the land,
We're reminded again of the Creators Great Hand.

Now let's think back, to the greatest show of Gods love,
When our savior was sent from his throne room above.

To the most humble conditions, you see Joseph was poor,
And no Inn, in all Bethlehem, would open their door.

So to an obscure, hidden manger, unfit for a King,
"The little Lord Jesus," in swaddling clothes, Mary did bring.

Never again, in all time, will ever there be,
Such a humble abode, crowned with such majesty.

And witnessed the shepherds, out tending their fold,
The announcement of the Christ Child, by an angel, was told.

Suddenly the heavens resounded, in triumphant praise,
Glory to God in the highest, their voices they raised.

Peace on earth, and good will to all men,
Such beautiful music filled all of the land.

What a wondrous occasion, and I scarce take it in,
To think, in that choir, we might there have been.

The shepherds looked to the east, a new star in the night,
Beckoned them down to Bethlehem's sacred sight.

There they alone, with that new family,
Enveloped in peace, beholding men's destiny.

For through him, men now, could hold firm to the rod,
That will lead them in safety, straight home to their God.

He was nurtured and loved, and raised as a man,
By foreordained stewards, chosen by his Fathers great hand.

And though there's little we know, for sure, of his youth,
God's Son soon became, the unmeasurable fountain of truth.

I try so to vision, and feel with my heart,
His incomprehensible mission, and the day of it's start.

For three years he did labor, but mortal words can't reveal,
His miraculous blessings, for the world he did heal.

He taught how to serve, and how service shows love,
And how these steps bring blessings, from heaven above.

Then, when promised the world, from temptation he turned.
In that, he then taught, only for righteousness yearn.

But by such humble lessons, many who should not have,... lost sight,
Their Messiah would arrive in glory, and not come, in the still of the night.

For thirty pieces of silver, came they, to Gethsemane,
Along with the traitor, Judas, Satin's purchased emissary.

Though deceived by a kiss, and thrice denied by his friend,
Neither Herod nor Pilate, found reason, for his life then to end.

But the chief priests and scribes, pressed their accusations of sin,
And demanded the law,....'til Pilate, washing his hands, finally gave in.

He was rejected for Barabbas, a sinful, lying and murdering thief,
And sentenced to die, the cruelest death, and excruciating grief..

Sinless for sure, this greatest of man,
Guilty only of loving, and kind healing hands.

Oh, it's so hard now to say, that he was nailed to a cross,
Because all men gained, at his terrible, great cost.

To every part of his body, exquisite pain did pass through,
And yet he cried out, "Father forgive them, they know not what they do."

To the disciple he loved, his mothers care he did trust.
While the pain in her heart, was as a swords deadly thrust.

To the sinner on the right he was then heard to say,
He would see him in paradise, that very same day.

Finally exhausted by pain, he cried out, so all there could hear it,
Into thy tender hands Father, I commend now my spirit.

There's much more to this story, how on the third day he rose.
But I'll reserve that divine story, for another day to compose.

For Christmas is near, so to the beginning theme I'll return,
To see in these thoughts, if there has been anything learned.

I have learned deeper love, for this wonderful savior,
And to appreciate him more as the great, great creator.

So many are they, the works of his hands,
Worlds without number, not just continents or lands.

And simple to him, but to me things of dreams,
Is how he creates, breathtaking winter time scenes.

Endless fields, of white, crisp, sparkling snow,
That as twilight approaches, reflect a soft Godly glow.

But it wasn't great fields, or vast, snow covered lakes,
What inspired my thoughts, was just one, simple snowflake.

Yes simple, yet complex, they're such a creative delight,
T'was what lead my thoughts back to that first Christmas night.


Copyright 1994