Based in part on Luke 8:1-12 :

Good News of Great Joy
by Michael Romani

Mankind cannot but help but glory
In thinking on all the Christmas story
From ancient tales to Charlie Brown
It's a tale told covering sacred ground

From the first tidings heralded in joy
To the shepherds and the little drummer boy
Terrifying yet somehow beyond beautiful
Were the first words spoken so wonderful

Fear not what has come to pass this day
When God was born in the manger this way
Humbled we came to learn, grow and pray
And this is what there is left to say

Fear not as heaven let's lose its snow and rain
Where mankind learns the things in vain
That we each must give to get past things bleak
And it all began as the angels did boldly speak

Winter fades into Christmas and there is joy
Hope in Christ for all people to known and employ
There is no fear in facing the future to come
Each of us has been given the keys of the kingdom

It is this great truth and that His love can only be given
Not taken, not forced but given with ease not driven
The goodness of God gets us past the things of uncertainty
This is the way we have lived in all of our blessed history

Then too is the struggle in fear about all of our yesterdays
But, truth is that God's blessing changes our  old ways
Making them better as we grow to learn to walk the walk
Encouraged so greatly as we move past all the old talk

As we live and breath and turn away from our life of dark sin
Sometimes we find it truly hard to move on to begin again
Our savior does not come to condemn but for our salvation
Faithful and just in mercy until righteousness is our fascination

Our pasts put cleanly behind us, we come together to rejoice
In our Hallelujah chorus in which each of us finds out truest voice
Not knowing if we have what it takes to make it through our day
We live our moments and take this all in stride along our way

There is warmth to be felt in this victorious sense of connection
A loving hand and words shared in our every subtle correction
Seeking to keep our eyes on all that is noble, holy and good
Now is the day of salvation and love finally best understood

These are the promises of this story as when needed most
When God's favor is openly proclaimed by heavenly host
There in message of letting go of the blankets of security
Comes the truth of Christmas spoken in fullest clarity

We must instead live each day in the grace and mercy shown
Abiding in the richness of blessings and love ever flowing
This then in our everything is the way we are truly best known
Fulfilled in this truth and learning to be inspired and growing

(c) December 20, 2018   Michael Romani
All Rights Reserved