As he sat in the saddle keeping watch o’er the herd,

   On a hill all covered with sage,

A chill came upon him -  he heard a word

   And began to contemplate his age.

 

The Quaking Aspens such long years ago

   As sapplings but now rising so high,

Were adorned with such splendor of yellow, orange and gold

   Of leaves that were starting to die.

 

Thinking about his own Autumn days

   Questions surfaced in his mind

“What is God planning for our future?

   Will He be harsh or kind?

 

What makes a man consider his life

   As he tries to make sense of the world?

It’s the same sort of chill that comes with the strife

   From trouble being unfurled.

 

There’s war raging in the middle east

   Israel and Palestine, too.

Russia and Ukraine fighting like a beast

   Peace seems ‘way out of view.

 

There’s sickness and earthquakes, famine – not feast

   There’s homelessness for not just a few.

Christians are killed from greatest to least,

   So he wondered, “Is there anything new?”

  

Are our days unique with the problems we face?

   Are these things unlike yesteryears?

Is there hope for tomorrow for the human race?

   Or is fate the one that steers?”

 

Then he remembered in the Bible he read

   How the world longed that God would bring

Relief from Messiah and souls would be led

   By a mighty God and King.

Folks didn’t look for a swaddled boy

   But a leader to lead them to war

To show the government they weren’t a toy

   They surely would give them what for.

 

But the Word made flesh was adorned with grace

   A fulfillment the prophets foretold.

He brought relief to a people without a face

   Jesus’ advent to unfold.

   

“Just six days to Christmas” he thought as he gazed;

   “The weather is changing it’s true

But not God’s Word which remains unfazed

   By Satan and his crew.”

 

 He knew that besides the cold, world’s pain and strife

   Jesus brings peace, comfort and hope.

 And Christ’s birth brings with it a promise of a new life

   And we have no reason to mope!

 

Clouds gathered - mixing up a brew - but the cowboy didn’t fear,

   He lives and trusts in Christmas hope.

Christmas brings home Jesus; for He is always here,

   He’s not at the end of his rope.

 

A dark, cold and weary world is waiting for a feast;

  Our future is a hope-filled year.

Salvation comes in glory, to the greatest and the least;

   For our Lord Jesus still is very near.

 

Waiting now for Advent two; what this world will deny:

   Jesus will come again!

It will happen in a moment – in the twinkling of an eye

   And we’ll echo the angels’ refrain!

- F.E.W.

May you all have a blessed Christmas; filled with hope, peace, joy and love. Stand up straight, lift up your face and see your salvation is at hand!    

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Pastor Fred Westerhold