SPECIAL DAYS
RELATED INDEX TOPICS: Christmas, Easter, New Year, Birthdays.
1. Another year is dawning,
Dear Master, let it be,
In working, or in waiting,
Another year with Thee.
Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness
In the shining of Thy face.
Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.
Another year of service,
Of witness of Thy love,
Another year of training
For holier work above.
Another year is dawning,
Dear Master, let it be
On earth, or else in heaven
Another year for Thee.
--Francis Ridley Havergal
2. "Dear Master, for this coming year
Just one request I ask:
I do not want things my own way,
Nor plead for easy task.
I do not ask to understand
The way Thou leadest me,
But this I ask: Teach me to do
The thing that pleaseth Thee.
I want to know Thy guiding voice,
To walk with Thee each day.
Dear Master, make me swift to hear
And ready to obey.
And thus the year I now begin,
A happy year will be--
If I am seeking just to do
The thing that pleaseth Thee."
--Francis Ridley Havergal
3. Back in A. D. 274 an emperor of the old Roman world chose December 25 as "the birthday of the unconquered sun." He recognised that at this midwinter date it reaches its lowest point in the Southern sky and begins its gradual movement Northward again. The annual rebirth of nature was closely linked to the Roman new year and planting season. Houses were decorated with greenery and candles, and presents were given to children and the poor. In time, Christians made this a holy day of their own. By A.D. 336, the church had decided that all believers should celebrate the birthday of the Lord Jesus, the Son of righteousness on December 25.
4. "Thirty days hath September,"
Every person can remember;
But to know when Easter'll come
Puzzles even scholars some.
When March the twenty-first is past
Just watch the silvery moon,
And when you see it full and round,
Know Easter'll be here soon.
After the moon has reached its full,
Then Easter will be here
The very Sunday after
In each and every year.
And if it hap on Sunday
The moon should reach its height,
The Sunday following this event
Will be the Easter bright.
5. I've wished a very special wish
For you this Christmas-tide;
It reaches far beyond today,
'Tis high and deep, and wide.
I wish for you the angels' song
That tells of hope and love;
I wish the radiance of the Star
To guide your thoughts above.
I wish for you the sturdy faith
That led the Wise Men three
Through cold of night, o'er desert drear,
The Holy Child to see.
I wish for you a humble heart,
With purpose strong and true--
The blessing of the Christ, our Lord--
This is my wish for you.
--Edward Bos
6. The New Year like a book lies before me;
On its cover two words, "My Life," I see.
I open the covers and look between--
Each page is empty, no words can be seen,
For I am a writer, I hold the pen
That'll fill these pages to be read by men.
Just what kind of book will my book be,
My life written there for others to see,
Each day a page written, one by one--
Will it be worthwhile when finished and done?
Lord, help me keep these pages clean and fair
By living the life I'd have written there.
--Gertrude Laura Gast
7. Parable: John Elzy, watchman at the Grand Eagle Department Store, while making his rounds of the bargain basement, found the body of a man lying under a counter. He was thin to the point of emaciation, apparently in his middle thirties, & was shabbily dressed. His pockets were empty & there were no marks of identification upon his person. Store officials believe that he was trampled in the Christmas rush & crawled under the counter for shelter. But they are unable to account for what appear to be nail wounds in his hands. The police are investigating.
8. Just one thing, O master, I ask today,
Now that the old year has passed away,
And a promising new year, through grace of Thine,
With all the dreams of youth is mine--
Just one thing I ask as I onward go,
That I'll walk with Thee--not too fast, nor slow;
Just one thing I ask, and nothing more,
Not to linger behind, nor run before,
O Master! This is my only plea--
Take hold of my life and pilot me.
9. I heard the bells at midnight
Ring in the dawning year;
And above the clanging chorus
Of the song, I seemed to hear
A choir of mystic voices
Flinging echoes, ringing clear,
From a band of angels winging
Through the haunted atmosphere:
"Ring out the shame & sorrow,
And the misery & sin,
That the dawning of the morrow
May in peace be ushered in."
And I thought of all the trials
The departed years had cost,
And the blooming hopes & pleasures
That are withered now & lost;
And with joy I drank the music
Stealing o'er the feeling there
As the spirit song came pealing
On the silence everywhere:
"Ring out the shame & sorrow,
And the misery & sin,
That the dawning of the morrow
May in peace be ushered in."
And I listened as a lover
To an utterance that flows
In syllables like dewdrops
Form the red lips of a rose,
Till the anthem, fainter growing,
Climbing higher, chiming on
Up the rounds of happy rhyming,
Slowly vanished in the dawn:
"Ring out the shame & sorrow,
And the misery & sin,
That the dawning of the morrow
May in peace be ushered in."
Then I raised my eyes to Heaven,
And with trembling lips I pled
For a blessing for the living
And a pardon for the dead;
And like a ghost of music
Slowly whispered--lowly sung--
Came the echo pure & holy
In the happy angel tongue:
"Ring out the shame & sorrow,
And the misery & sin,
That the dawning of the morrow
May in peace be ushered in."
James Whitcomb Riley
10. The first Christmas that little Linda learned to read she was allowed to distribute the family gifts on Christmas Eve. After all the gifts were distributed with loving care, Linda kept looking & looking around the tree & among its branches. Finally father asked, "What are you looking for, dear?" To which Linda replied, "I thought Christmas was Jesus' birthday & I was just wondering where His present is. I guess everyone forgot Him. Did they, Daddy?"
11. The first thing that's broken after Christmas is a New Year's resolution.
12. Another year to love Him
Whom I have loved so long;
Another year to praise Him
In glad triumphant song.
Whate'er the future holdeth
Of sorrow, toil, or pain
His precious Love endureth
Forevermore the same.
Another year with Jesus!
I thank Thee, Lord, today
For Thy unfailing presence
Along life's rugged way.
Guide me, O blest Redeemer,
Teach me to do Thy will,
And Thine own perfect purpose
In me each day fulfill.
--Avis Christiansen
13. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hearts to heaven and voices raise;
Sing to God a hymn of gladness,
Sing to God a hymn of praise;
He who on the cross a victim
For the world's salvation bled,
Jesus Christ, the King of glory,
Now is risen from the dead.
Now the iron bars are broken,
Christ from death to life is born,
Glorious life, and life immortal,
On this holy Easter morn;
Christ has triumphed, and we conquer
We with Him to life eternal
By His resurrection rise.
Christ is risen, Christ the first-fruits
Of the holy harvest field
Which will all its full abundance
At His second coming yield;
Then the golden ears of harvest
Will their heads before Him wave,
Ripened by His glorious sunshine
From the furrows of the grave.
Christ is risen, we are risen;
Shed upon us heavenly grace,
Rain and dew and gleams of glory
From the brightness of Thy face;
That, with hearts in heaven dwelling,
We on earth may fruitful be,
And by angel hands be gathered,
And be ever, Lord with Thee.
(Christopher Wordsworth--1807-85; and others.)
14. The day before Christmas had been full of incidents, some of them unpleasant. Father seemed to be burdened with worries as well as bundles. Mother's anxiety had reached the breaking point on many occasions throughout the day. Wherever the little girl went, she seemed to be in the way. Finally she was hustled to bed. The feverish excitement of the Christmas planning had completely unnerved her. As she knelt by her bed to pray the Lord's Prayer, she got all mixed up and prayed, "Forgive us our Christmasses, as we forgive those who Christmas against us." As we watch the tense, nervous shoppers this season, we feel like praying as the little girl did, "Forgive us our Christmasses."
15. High in the heavens a single star,
Of pure, imperishable light;
Out on the desert strange and far
Dim riders riding through the night:
Above a hilltop sudden song
Like silver trumpets down the sky--
And all to welcome One so young
He scarce could lift a cry!
Stars rise and set, that star shines on:
Songs fail, but still that music beats
Through all the ages come and gone,
In lane and field and city streets.
And we who catch the Christmas gleam,
Watching with children on the hill,
We know, we know it is no dream--
He stands among us still!
--Nancy Byrd Turner
16. Where can we find The Holy One?
Where can we see His Only Son?
The Wise Men asked, and we're asking still,
Where Can We Find This Man of Good Will?
Is He far away in some distant place,
Ruling unseen from His throne of grace?
Is there nothing on earth that man can see
To give him proof of Eternity?
It's true we have never looked on His face,
But His likeness shines forth from every place,
For the Hand of God is everywhere
Along life's busy thoroughfare...
And His presence can be felt and seen
Right in the midst of our daily routine,
The things we touch and see and feel
Are what make God so very real...
The silent stars in timeless skies,
The wonderment in children's eyes,
The gossamer wings of a hummingbird,
The joy that comes from a kindly word...
The autumn haze, the breath of spring,
The chirping song the crickets sing,
A rosebud in a slender vase,
A smile upon a friendly face...
In everything both great and small
We see The Hand Of God In All,
And every day, somewhere, someplace,
We see The Likeness Of His Face...
For who can watch a new day's birth
Or touch the warm, life-giving earth,
Or feel the softness of the breeze
Or look at skies through lacy trees
And say they've never seen His face
Or looked upon His throne of grace!
17. 'Tis not enough that Christ was born beneath the star that shone,
And earth was set that holy morn within a golden zone.
He must be born within the heart before He finds a throne,
And brings the day of love and good, the reign of Christlike brotherhood.
18. Christmas is more than a day at the end of the year,
More than a season of joy and good cheer,
Christmas is really God's pattern for living
To be followed all year by unselfish giving...
For the holiday season awakens good cheer
And draws us closer to those we hold dear,
And we open our hearts and find it is Good
To live among men As We Always Should...
But as soon as the tinsel is stripped from the tree
The spirit of Christmas fades silently
Into the background of daily routine
And is lost in the whirl of life's busy scene,
And all unawares, we miss and forego
The greatest blessing that mankind can know...
For if we lived Christmas each day, as we should,
And made it our aim to always do good,
We'd find the lost key to meaningful living
That comes not from Getting, but from unselfish Giving...
And we'd know the great joy of Peace Upon Earth
Which was the real purpose of our Saviour's birth,
For in the Glad Tidings of the first Christmas night,
God showed us The Way and The Truth and The Light!
19. As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.
As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger-bed,
There be bend the knee before
Him whom heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare,
At that manger rude and bare,
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin's alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.
Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.
--William Chatterton Dix, 1837-1898
20. Let not our hearts be busy inns,
That have no room for Thee,
But cradles for the living Christ
And His nativity.
Still driven by a thousand cares
The pilgrims come and go;
The hurried caravans press on;
The inns are crowded so!
Here are the rich and busy ones,
With things that must be sold,
No room for simple things within
This hostelry of gold.
Yet hunger dwells within these walls,
These shining walls and bright,
And blindness groping here and there
Without a ray of light,
Oh, lest we starve, and lest we die,
In our stupidity,
Come, Holy Child, within and share
Our hospitality.
Let not our hearts be busy inns,
That have no room for Thee,
But cradles for the living Christ
And His nativity.
--Ralph Spaulding Cushman
21. An azure sky,
All star bestrewn.
A lowly crib,
A hushed room.
An open door,
A hill afar,
Where little lambs
And shepherds are.
To such a world,
On such a night,
Came Jesus-
Little Lord of Light.
--Mary I. Osborn
22. THOUGH A THOUSAND TIMES IN BETHLEHEM CHRIST BE BORN, IF HE'S NOT BORN IN THEE, THY SOUL IS ALL FORLORN.
And so I shall attend to my little errands of love early this year,
That the brief days before Christmas may be unhampered and clear.
Clear of the fever of hurry, the breathless rushing that I have known in the past
Shall not possess me, I shall be calm in my soul and ready at last
For Christmas, to worship the Christ. I shall kneel, take time to call His Name.
I shall take time to watch the beautiful light of a candle's flame.
I shall have leisure, I shall go out alone quietly from my door.
I shall not miss the silver silence of stars that I had before.
Perhaps if I stand both very still and very long,
I shall hear what the clamour of living has kept from me - The Angels' song,
That mother's low cry, the baby's sweet song.
23. On Christmas eve they filled the house, some fifty guests all told,
(O little Lord of Christmas, were You left out in the cold?)
And ate and sang, played cards and danced till early morning light.
(O little Lord of Christmas, did they think of You that night?)
Next morning came the presents on a glittering Christmas tree.
(O little Lord of Christmas, was there any gift for Thee?)
The dinner was a Roman feast, and how those guests did eat!
(O little Lord of Christmas, were You hungry in the street?)
Then came some teas, a movie, and at night the last revue.
(O little Lord of Christmas, what had these to do with You?)
By midnight all were tired and cross and tumbled into bed.
(O little Lord of Christmas, did they think that You were dead?)
They all woke up with headaches and no joy in work or play.
(O little Lord of Christmas, did they mark Your birth that day?)
The love, the joy were good, no doubt; the rest a pagan spree.
(O little Lord of Christmas, let us keep the day with Thee!)
--Henry Hallam Tweedy
24. I wish there were a way to do just something in return,
For all the times you've shown your understanding & concern,
But thoughtfulness like yours is never easy to repay.
So this just brings you lots of love & gratitude today.
Happy birthday!
25. May God to you each day impart,
The art of staying young at heart.
If your birthday means remembering other days & other years,
Savouring fond memories that passing time endears;
If your birthday means new pleasure & daily little things,
Enjoying the fresh beginning that each new morning brings,
If your birthday means to look ahead to future days to hold,
New friends to meet, new things to do & happiness untold,
Then you are truly gifted for you've learned the precious art,
Of living every day in full & staying young at heart.
26. Dear Dad and Mom, I love you both upon this precious day,
And thank the Lord for all the joys the years have brought your way!
You're such a sample to me now, and have been all along,
Of how two souls in married love, stay tender but grow strong.
It takes a lot of praying & a devoted man & wife,
To keep God ever present in a home & in their life,
And you're a grand example & an inspiration too,
And every married couple should be patterned after you.
--Helen Steiner Rice
27. Anyone who knows you certainly agrees,
That you're as dear a person as anyone could be.
You have a way of reaching out & giving so much love.
That's why you're always wished the joy you're so deserving of.
28. Mother, there's a birthday prayer within my heart today,
Because you are so loving & so dear in every way.
A prayer that's made with special love: That God will richly bless
Your birthday and each day all year with joy & happiness.
29. Morning calm & evening peace begin & end each day.
May you travel sunlit paths with Jesus, this I pray.
May the dreams that mean the most to you be sure to all come true.
May God's goodness bless the year ahead with love & joy for you!
30. May God bless you on your birthday in a very special way,
And may happiness & inner peace fill your heart today.
31. Certain days are special in Life's eternal plan,
Special in the eyes of God and in the eyes of Man.
And there's an extra beauty that sets these days apart,
And brings a lovely happiness to life & soul & heart.
32. A birthday prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for everything I've come to know on Earth.
Thank You for protecting me, even from my birth.
Thank You for the little things that often come my way,
The unexpected little joys that brighten up my day.
Thank You for the beauty in every day of living,
And all that makes each birthday a day for real thanksgiving.
--Helen Steiner Rice
33. There can't be very many dads as wonderful as you,
Who always bring the happiness to others that you do--
That's why there just aren't words enough to ever really say,
How much love comes with the wish that's made for you today.
Happy Birthday!
34. This birthday prayer is offered now especially for you.
May God be near you always dear in everything 'you do.
And may one very special gift be yours from day to day:
The blessing of God's presence & His Love to guide your way.
Happy birthday.