on this day, the greatest of gifts was given

It is quiet so far. The only sound is the humming of the space heater and a radio playing softly in the other room. Few lights are on, allowing the lights on the tree to shine, dancing in the semi-darkness. I am so far the only one moving about in the house. Just as it was last night as I wrapped the gifts. I love times like this, it allows for introspection. Quiet time to reflect, to relax, to hear form my Lord.



This is a celebration of His day.



I am unashamed in my Christianity. Yet I will not force it on anyone. Yes, most of my poetry is inspirational..words of praise from my heart, praising, acknowledging or beseeching my Savior and Lord. Free here to be read or not.



I do buy gifts to pass on to family. Small things, trinkets of acknowledgement of my love for them. Small things, material things that will not last. Unlike that dark night, far away, in a stable where the greatest gift ever was placed. A gift that will last through eternity and beyond. Never changing, never withdrawing from those that are His.



I spend hours watching as gifts are opened, shown off and enjoyed. Remembering the shepherds and magi that came to see the new born king. Watching as young and old tell of what they were given, thinking of the shepherds that ran to tell what they had seen. The greatest gift.



I will soon begin cooking my portion of the Christmas dinner. A family sitting around a few tables, sharing a wonderful meal, food for the body to continue on. On that night, so far away, a child was born.. the greatest gift given to feed the souls of dying mankind. Lost, sinful, in need of what only this gift, this new born king could give. Born to teach, to instruct, to heal, to save.



Its quiet right now, just before everything begins. Just as I imagine it was quiet that night as Mary suffered through the pains of childbirth. Joseph at her side while the animals watched nearby. At the child's first cry, the angels burst forth, filling the heavens singing of the miracle, singing of this child's arrival. King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Christ Jesus, born on this night, born to be the greatest gift ever given.





I wish to you my friends one and all- a very Merry Christmas. I wish you blessings and miracles. I wish for you, all the best, and the strength and perseverance to deal with any storms that may come. May your homes and life be filled with the warmth of love and music of laughter. May your heart be filled with the joy that this day brings. May your gifts, be the gifts that will last through eternity and beyond.

















































Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com





The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites





also @ Bookin' It, your mobile bookstore @ www.bookin-it.com



Available now @ http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945:

Blessed in His Promises

always with me

I know You

for You walk with me

always close

never leaving

never away

You are here

I know You

for You called to me

that morning so bright

speaking to me,

whispering in my heart

I am here

offering to You this gift

a gift, my present, of my presence

in your life

I heard You

pondering these things I listened

and I turned to You

leaving the darkness

into Your light

even as the storms still come

they are but a driving force

sending me closer to You

seeking Your guidance

seeking Your comfort

knowing You are here

with me, always

never leaving me

never abandoning me

to what comes

You call to me

when the winds begin to blow

when the storms form on the horizon

You call to me

drawing me closer to You

sheltering me

You see me, when I grow weary

when the battles and struggles become hard

You call to me

lifting from my shoulders the burden

giving me, drawing me into, Your rest

giving to me, renewed strength

to continue

walking in Your light

with You

for You are here

with me, always

never leaving

never abandoning

You speak to me,

encouraging me. teaching me

being always

with me

in You, with You

I am unafraid

even at my weakest, I am strong

You take the fears

and give me courage

with me, You are with me

always

in You, with You

I have joy

in my moments of sadness and pain

You see my tears

taking them from me

You fill my heart with Your light

fill my heart with Your song

in You, I have a joy

that no man can steal

in You, with You

always

I hear You Lord

I will walk with You

as You with me

always with me

never leaving

never leaving

Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com

The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites

also @ Bookin' It, your mobile bookstore @ www.bookin-it.com

Available now @ http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945:

Blessed in His Promises

and Your peace will reign forever-

 

In this dawning time, I stand watch

waiting, ever waiting

ready, for what is to come

patient, yet impatient

come Lord Jesus

Your fields are ripe, even as we plant seed

hoping, for those that hear

wishing, for those that see

an understanding

You are love magnified

peace and assurance is a part of Your gift to us

forgiveness is Your blessing

You have paid the price so long ago

and you offer this freely still

to those that will accept

even in this time, as the darkness spreads

so many, fooled, so many tempted

as so many fear speaking out for You

Your words have been twisted

Your message changed by many

to suit their own agenda, not Yours

too many, are the thorns that choke out Your message

Come Lord Jesus

even as we seek to plant new seed in Your name

to offer Your love and Your hope

to those that will hear and understand

to those that will come to You

accepting the gift that You offer

we stand, I stand, watching

ever ready, ever waiting

knowing, as this time winds down

as the days run out

ever waiting we watch

knowing, in our heart, knowing in Spirit

Your morning comes

we will be ever forever with You

and Your peace will reign forever

Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com

The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites

also @ Bookin' It, your mobile bookstore @ www.bookin-it.com

Available now @ http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945:

Blessed in His Promises

You are my rest

 

I rest

in my belief in You

Struggles come, on a day to day schedule

they wait, for when least expected

and they come

as the storm comes in summer

gathering strength just past the horizon

to come, surrounding

the thunder rumbles from the distance

a warning of its approach

but too late, there is no where to run

but to You

and You stand ready, waiting

with open arms for Your children

I rest in You

When the winds blow strong and cold

bringing the rains or snow

and I shiver against the suffering brought

I remember

as the rains fall harshly down

streaking my face, puddling about my feet

I remember

that You wait ready and able

with arms open wide to accept

You are my sanctuary against the storm

I run to You

When the clouds obscure the sun

and the lightening flashes brightly

leaving the smell of sulfur in the air

when I shiver from the fear of its power

I remember

nothing is more powerful, than You

as the storm rages around me

threatening and intense

I remember

You stand ready and willing

with arms outstretched in welcoming

You are the fortress against the storm

drawing me to You

bringing me to You

and safe Harbor

I know, how I know

when the storm blows strong

You are stronger

when the winds and rains come

You are my shelter

when I grow weak, weary from the battle

You are my rest

in You Lord, in You

my All and All

Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com

The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites

also @ Bookin' It, your mobile bookstore @ www.bookin-it.com

Available now @ http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945:

Blessed in His Promises

My Name is Rebecca..and the joke's on me--

Slowly, every so slowly I reach out to the door handle, feeling the cold metal against my fingers I almost back out. Fear, the fear is so strong I can taste it. A metallic nastiness that fills my mouth and rests on my tongue. I struggled to swallow as I fought the internal emotional roller coaster. My chest grew tight, unable to swallow now unable to breath. Lack of oxygen had me feeling faint. I had to go in, there was no other way. Gently I turned the handle, hoping against hope that the door would open silently. With a barely audible click the door was unlatched, but when I carefully, slowly pushed it made the most horrendous creaking, squeaking, squealing noise I have ever heard a door make. My entrance had been thoroughly announced. Horrified I looked to see every head was turned and every eye in the place was on me. Grinning sheepishly, I ducked my head and eased into the room.







"Welcome!! Welcome!" boomed a voice from somewhere toward the front. I did not look as I frantically tried to find an empty seat as far back at the back as I could. Moving to the metal folding chair I went to sit only to have the thing fold up under me. Hitting my head on the chair, I landed hard on the floor. If only I could just die right here.. if only I could dissolve into a puddle and disappear into a crack in the floor. But there was no such thing happening now. Feeling the hands tightening around my arms I allowed the assistance in standing. Once the chair was back open I carefully eased onto it. I didn't look as I felt one last pat on the back and then all was quiet again.







As the speaker began talking again I wasn't listening, inside my head the words rang over and over again. "I can't do this, I can not do this, why am I here? I can not do this...no one can make me do this.." Realizing the room was silent and filled with something akin to expectancy I lifted my head just enough that I could see through my bangs. Everyone was once again looking at me.







"Can't do what?" asked the person who was obviously the leader of this meeting.







OUT LOUD????????? Yes, I was no definitely going to die now . I had said all of that out loud. I did not have to see my face to know that it was about as deep of a red that anything could ever attempt to accomplish. Forget red as an apple, forget red as a firetruck, forget red as a pickled beet..it was red to the umpth degree. I was doomed.







"Um..I uh, well--" geesh, where did I learn public speaking, in a drunk tank? Okay fine, I had already embarrassed myself beyond redemption, I might as well go the whole nine yards and finish this. Standing I faced the room, refusing to look anyone in the eye I stared at a spider busily spinning a web in the corner of the room, just over the open window. Taking a deep breath I exhaled and began.







"My name is Rebecca...." I waited through the chorus of greetings, determined to finish what I had finally began. When the room was again quiet I continued, "My name is Rebecca.......' breathe, exhale, deep breath.." I move boxes." There. I had said it. I glanced around the room quickly before returning my stare to the ceiling. I had seen no condemnation, no judgment, nothing that would say they thought me dirty. I could do this after all.







"I think it began slowly, when I first took that job, way back over 20 years ago. I had to make sure I had my supplies as there was no utility person. It wasn't difficult, moving a box every now and again, besides, they were light. Barely a hundred pounds at most." I looked down at my hands, flexing my fingers, "I learned quickly how to use a pair of handtrucks efficiently, before I realized it, I was moving boxes on a regular basis. Especially when I earned that promotion. It was so much easier to just grab the handtrucks and move the boxes myself rather than try and hunt down utility people who could be just about anywhere. Before I knew it was I moving boxes up to and above 300 pounds. I had the maneuver down- grab, adjust, deep breath pull and bend. I was even arrogant with it, gloating and smirking at the looks of stunned amazement at my abilities. I was good. I failed though to consider that I had an enemy, and that enemy was time. Day after day I continued to move boxes, small boxes, big boxes, boxes that were barely boxes. I moved them all. When ever anyone needed something in a box, I moved it. When ever the box was for some unknown reason too heavy for me to break back, I would reluctantly call for assistance, but then I'd wave them away and move the box. It was mine- I'd do it myself. When the utility man would get behind for what ever reason, I'd grab the handtrucks and start helping. Breaking back boxes that I should have never considered moving, but I did. Then.." I hesitated, closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Opening my eyes I looked around me. "then, came the day that I pulled back a box, then decided to try and make sure it had all the proper labels, something I should have done first. I lost my grip on the box and it went crashing to the floor. Product went everywhere. I was very thankful it wasn't something like eggs or fine china or explosives. Shoot, explosives would have saved me from this. But, I cleaned up my mess, fixed the box and broke it back..I moved it to the strapper to be made ready for shipping. But something was wrong- I knew it. I had to finally admit that all of the warnings I had ignored for years, all of those need to be careful, let the men do it, you shouldn't they should leave that alone-had finally came to be. I was hurt. and too dang proud to admit it. Now I am- I am here to say.. my name is Rebecca...and I push boxes..and I'm ready to stop."



























Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com





The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites





also @ Bookin' It, your mobile bookstore @ www.bookin-it.com



Available now @ http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945:

Blessed in His Promises

Do they know

What gift is this, given today?

resting peacefully

in a manger filled with hay

a babe, a babe

born here

as the angels sing

and the shepherds come

bowing in honor

walking away, forever changed

after gazing upon, this gift

a babe, born today

do they know, as they kneel

do they know, as they look

upon this child

the gift they are seeing?

this babe

wrapped in swaddling

this babe, born today

resting, on a manger

filled with hay

Mary and Joseph watch

the things that go on

in the stable, the only place found

for this babe

this gift, to be born

do they know?

this child, born to be

Savior

is King of Kings, Lord of Lords

this child, born today

gift to the world

born to save man

from the sin man has within

do they know

do they know

this babe, resting in a manger

gift to the world

born to live, born to teach

to bring the message

to pay the price

no one else can pay

this babe, this gift

do they know?

Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com

The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites

also @ Bookin' It, your mobile bookstore @ www.bookin-it.com

Available now @ http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945:

Blessed in His Promises

This Babe

Crossing a land, harsh

traveling by foot, by donkey

traveling, in response to law

they walk, they ride

crossing a land, two among many

back to the land of birth

back, to be counted they travel

two among many, two to become three

as the one so heavily expecting

a birth to come soon

Crossing a land they find

no room

there is no room for them

turned away time and again they search

as the time draws ever near

she complains not as he seeks a place

for them to rest

there is no room, no room for them

but one offer comes

accepted

after crossing a land, harsh

a stable warm, animals moved aside

a babe is born

a soft, tender cry heard

in the night skies above

angels sing, shouting Hosanna

Hallelujah

born is the King

filling the sky the heavenly host

calm the startled shepherds

proclaiming His birth

go to see, go they said, to see

the King

born on this night

resting in a manger

sleeping, wrapped in swaddling

protected and loved

in the midst of a harsh land

as the angels sang

the shepherds hurried away

to see

this King

a babe that lay sleeping

Immanuel

as the angels sang

noel

Mary and Joseph

watched it all

by the light of the heavenly star

holding these in their heart

as the angels sang

and the wise men came

bearing gifts

to a child born

on this Jerusalem night

in the midst of a harsh land

a babe sleeps

a King, born of lowly birth

come to save

Immanuel

Christ Jesus, Son of God

King of Kings

Son of Man, has come

as the angels sang

Hallelujah, Hosanna

Noel

Blessed, a collection of God given inspirational poetry by Rebecca Stepp Revels is available now @

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2137587

and now also at

Amazon, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble .com

The Legend of Dragon's Doom:a Young Warrior's vow, by RS Revels is available @

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-legend-of-dragons-doom-a-young-warriors-vow/7505820

and other online sites

also @ Bookin' It, your mobile bookstore @ www.bookin-it.com

Available now @ http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blessed-in-his-promises/12670945:

Blessed in His Promises