Happy Thanksgivukkah!

The holiday season is upon us. For those in the U.S., today is Thanksgiving. For our Jewish brothers and sisters, it’s the beginning of Hanukkah. For many Christians, tomorrow the Christmas season begins.

It seems that regardless of our faith or nationality, this time of a year is a time when most people are in the mindset of wanting to slow down (even as things get hectic!) and count blessings and share gifts and open hearts…to reflect on the good in life and to try to share a little of that with others.

President Monson’s talk, The Divine Gift of Gratitude, is a great talk to review on this day.

We are also grateful to Susan Noyes Anderson for being willing to share some of her harvest and gratitude poetry with us to celebrate this special time of year. While her poetry is written with a Christian/LDS audience in mind, we hope those not of our faith traditions (or not living in the northern hemisphere where the harvest season just ended!) can still enjoy the messages of her poetry.

I love how the poetry also connects to the beautiful message of the video we shared yesterday: Giving Thanks isn’t a Holiday.

(See more of Susan Noyes Anderson’s holiday poetry.)

Harvest Gifts: I love how this poem not only celebrates the principles found in the harvest season, but also celebrates the wisdom of ages past, and points the reader’s mind toward the future when we someday meet our God.

This poem also reflects on the principles that can be learned from the cycle of the harvest: To Every Thing there is a Season

Thanks be to God: A beautiful reflection on how all that life brings is part of God’s wise plan for our growth and progress.

In Every Thing Give Thanks: A poem that reminds us of the power of faith in God even when times are difficult

How Excellent is Thy Name: This poem is a prayerful piece, taking from the text of Psalms 8:1-9. It would be a beautiful one to read with family members while asking them what they are grateful for.

The post Happy Thanksgivukkah (+ some poetry shared by an LDS poet) appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

He eagerly takes flight.

Off on his own

Spreading his wings

The freedom feels so right.

Not just for him

But also me does freedom taste so sweet.

No longer will my time be spent

On food for him to eat.

I’ll find my own

And fly and sing

Without another’s cares

Weighing down, trapping me

In the pull of parental snares.

But as I revel in my joy

This freedom gladly brings

I feel a weight deep in my heart.

And worry enters in.

Does he know how

To spread his wings

And soar above the clouds?

Is he prepared to leave the nest?

My head swims with these doubts.

What will I do anyway

With these new wings of mine?

I’ve known no other task but this

His identity is mine.

Confusion swirls and fogs my view

How is he flying now?

Perhaps he needs me.

Should I go?

And force him back somehow?

Then I recall the feel of flight

That rush of aptitude

That came from spreading out my wings

And trying what was new.

How can I deny him this?

The joy that comes from growth

I know that I must let him go

But still, I worry so.

My mind goes back

To ages past

When children had to leave

To learn and grow, away from home

And fly on their own wings.

And I feel settled once again

Watching my fledgling fly.

It’s hard to watch him struggle now

But now I understand why.

If I had kept him in the nest,

What could he have become?

Nothing more than what he was

A fledgling. Halted. Stopped.

But he is more than a little bird

Far more than what is seen

For deep within him yearning to soar

Is the eagle he’s meant to be.

The post Wings — a poem about motherhood by Charity appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

~by Sue

A Perfect Brightness of Hope

How bright the sky, how still the night

when all the world received His light.

One star stood out from all the rest,

while choirs of angels sang and blessed

a lowly stable, bleak and bare…

and Mary’s Babe who nestled there.

The King of heaven and earth was born

to save us all that Christmas morn.

How bright our lives; how still our hearts

when we receive what He imparts

and hold ourselves above the rest

to walk with angels and be blessed.

May every home, replete or bare,

be strengthened by His presence there.

And may our souls embrace His birth

and count Him King of heaven and earth!

©1998 Susan Noyes Anderson

See more Christmas poetry from Sue:

The Joy of Christmas – Sue says this at the end of her post where she shares this new poem:

I know all too well that some years are easier on the heart than others, but I hope every one of you feels at least a glimmer of Christmas JOY this year. Truly, one of His greatest gifts to us is the peace that passeth all understanding. And what is Christmas about, if not His gifts?

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

A Gentle Night in Bethlehem (beautiful poem reflecting on the whole Nativity story)

The post Pondering the Nativity: The Star — “A Perfect Brightness of Hope” (Christmas poetry) appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

First, here is more poetry from our Mormon Women contributor, Sue:

He Walked Alone

The Miracle of Easter (A Child’s Story)

Living Water: Cleansing the Disciples

…and from another LDS woman, “Mormon Soprano.”

My Easter Story

For more Easter music, see the following:

More from Sally DeFord:

Free music focusing on Christ, Easter, Atonement

On BYU-TV this weekend (Saturday at 11:00 p.m. MDT at byu.tv or on the BYU-TV channel), enjoy a glorious Easter performance of Lex de Azevedo’s Hosanna: “Experience Lex de Azevedo’s wonderful, powerfully moving Easter concert from the comfort of your living room. George Dyer, Jenny Oaks Baker, Greg Pearson, Kathryn Laycock Little, Millennium Concert Choir and Millennium Chorus.”

As for Easter posts, there are simply too many we’d like to include here. Here are a few we’ve found this week:

I wish we’d seen this one earlier, but you’ll love learning more about the ancient significance of using palms on Palm Sunday in this post by Jocelyn. Reflect on what “palms”you might be willing to lay down to worship Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ:

Palms for the Lord: My Talk on Worshiping God

In fact, you may just want to linger at Jocelyn’s blog because she hosted an Easter blogging celebration, where several bloggers shared ideas and reflections for weeks in preparation for Easter. (Like I said earlier, I wish we’d known earlier!)

Here’s a post about Good Friday (albeit a day late); be sure to watch the videos.

Friday: Good Friday

And finally, enjoy this post by Darla Isackson.

Spiritually Preparing for Easter

The post More Easter poetry, music, posts (+ your links) appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

“I wrote this last year for a sister in law, who’s father passed away. The words came, I felt I was just the holder of the pen. Within the week, I found out that my other sister-in-law had a painful miscarriage at 16 weeks. As I was praying to know how I could help her, I knew that the poem already had.”

The Sun Will Rise

In this life we have rare glimpses of Heaven
the touch of a hand as we say good bye
An answer that seals Forever
A baby’s first cry
the shadow of a baby that never cried
Each one a glimpse
The Heavenly Father that loves
The Son that gives all
Each brings a family closer
To one another and our Eternity

As I thought of what you might be going through
I wished that I could think of something to say
that would take your pain away
This poem flowed and as I cried I knew
What He would say
Don’t take your eye off the Sky line
Keep Watching
The Sun will rise

When pain is too hard to bare
When all seems troubled
the light impossible to see
When families are far
Never forget
The Sun will rise

Life is lived
Death comes
just another season
Easy for the ones who leave us
Those left search for a reason
Tears fall, hearts feel empty
hard lump in your throat
In the darkness
One we know calls our name

Please don’t cry, My dear one
I love you,
that’s why I have come
I know what you’re going through
Because I went through it too
I did it just for you
I bore your pain
I felt your grief
As I knelt and begged for relief
I did it because He asked me to
And I did it all for you
The Sun will rise

So during this middle hour
When morn’s light seems so far
When all is dim and unclear
When pain and doubt seem to sear
Look to the sky
And hear my reply
Clear your eyes
Know
The Sun will rise

I know for I am the Savior of All
I love you
I came, lived, died for you
I carry your burden
Through me it is light
Making your way through this dreary night
Never forget
I am the Son
I died
I rose again

The post Poem: “The Sun Will Rise” appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

This poem was written at what was a difficult time, four months before my first husband left after 22 years of marriage. The holidays were difficult for several years until I regained my focus and realized that the holiday was about celebrating what I did have, not what I did not. It was a shift in consciousness that allowed me to once again enjoy.

However, I am also keenly aware that for those in a similar situation, grieving also must occur. Feeling that you ‘shouldn’t’ feel this way isn’t any more productive than denying that you do and pushing through the grief and loneliness.

For me, writing was cathartic. It put in front of me the words of my despair, my need, my hope, and my knowledge that somewhere, sometime out there there would be something better than ‘this,’ where I was.

To those who may be grieving at this time of year, perhaps the most encouraging thing I could share would be the understanding that wherever the loneliness sits at the moment, it doesn’t mean it will always be there, even when it feels like it.  Embracing the love that already surrounds you, recognizing the deep longing, and hoping for a time when happiness will again reside was for me the greatest comfort.  “And it came to pass. . . ” — not to stay.

– – – – –

Whispers of the Season,
Reflections of the past,
Desires for the future
Bound and held so fast
Against the weary memory
And the green and red hued fray,
Thoughts adrift in misery,
Bound in stress of day.

Tucked amidst the green
Of the merry Christmas tree
Will there be found within a bough
A wish or two for me?

Closing eyes so very tight,
Holding breath against the fear
That Santa has nothing in his sack
To bring relief or cure
For what desires lay hidden
And what sweet passions die
Deeply in a woman’s soul
Expressed in murmured sigh.

Is there a word unqualified,
Acceptance without question
Or the softest feathered touch from one
Who finds my company spun;
With laughter and sweetened muse,
Passion’s dark bold embrace,
Intelligence and confided lore
Smiles upon a tear-stained face.

Tentative vulnerablity,
Giggles of secrets shared,
Inspiration’s’ electricity
Desires subtly compared,
The avid focus of attentive eyes
From one who feels the same?

Look within and see the shadows
Faintest flutters exclaim,
There is a heart unfettered,
Bathed in my name’s echoed cry,
And in enchanted evenings
A baby’s lullaby.

Tell me it be possible
There is one other soul
Bound with whispered dreams
Unequaled, complete and whole.

Is there fashioned another
That will with me share,
Glistening poinsettias, silver bells,
Into a glowing fireplace stare?

I don’t believe that elves have packed
Santa’s bag with things I write
Or that he is aware of the pull
Of scented flickering candlelight.

Shimmering in magical Christmas mist
Does Mrs Santa hint so blissful,
Of limpid pools of breathless wonder
When miracles are possible?

If she does, there may be a chance,
Slim perhaps but still,
Perchance there is something
In Father Christmas’ fill
For a lady with a silent wish
Who can’t quite abandon hope
That one day somewhere amongst the tinsel
And the unsealed envelopes
There will be an unwrapped gift
Tucked in the gleaming holiday decor
The marvelous breathtaking surprise
Of simply being adored.

© Marsha Rose Steed Keller 12/01

The post “Whispers of the Season” (Poetry) appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been writing poems. It appears to be a family trait, actually; my mother taught me as a child, and I haven’t looked back. I am frequently asked to write poetry for various programs or verses for celebratory events. I am also fond of using a poem to begin or conclude a lesson or talk. Sometimes, of course, I write just to please myself…to express my feelings about a person or subject.

I was happy when I was asked to share the following compilation of Christmas poetry here at Mormon Women. You can also find more holiday poems on my poetry website.**

My Christmas Card to All of You (a captioned picture verse)

A Christmas Eve Reading (Christmas nativity poem)

A Gentle Night in Bethlehem(another nativity poem)

Beautiful Savior: Man of Galilee (Easter poem that I like reading at Christmas to remind me what it’s all about)

Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him (a personal testimony of Jesus Christ)

Christmas: Glimpses of Eternity (short)

The Bright Lights of Christmas (short)

Got Tree? Got Tree Poem? (humorous)

**Note: Any of my poems can be utilized without charge for non-commercial purposes, provided I am notified by email and all copyright information is included exactly as listed on my poetry site.

The post Christmas Poetry appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

~ by Dianne Billstrom

As I watched the planes plow into the twin towers in New York City on September 11th, 2001, and viewed the news and the aftermath of that day, these images seemed to pour out of my heart. I observed their reactions to the terrible event, yet knew that in the end freedom would rise triumphant.

Some conspired, for glory, power, or hate,
A shallow reward,
Filled with nothing,
As the towers crumbled
And the dust exploded.

Some danced, reveling in victory and destruction,
No respecter of the
Fragility of life,
As the towers crumbled
And the dust billowed.

Some Samaritans bound up wounds,
Physical and spiritual,
Comforting the afflicted,
As the towers crumbled
And the dust dispersed.

Some prayed, fortifying the spirit
Of God’s children,
Calling for supreme intervention,
When the towers crumbled
And the dust stirred.

Some gathered buckets, clearing debris,
Tirelessly sifting the rubble for signs of life,
One pail at a time,
When the towers crumbled
And the dust settled.

Some raised a banner, red, white and blue,
Symbol of freedom,
Proudly erected,
On the crumbled towers
And the solidified dust.

Some united with hope for peace,
Courageous, despite fear,
Prepared for ultimate sacrifice,
After the towers crumbled
Leaving nothing but dust.

From despair and grief rose unity of spirit,
A kinship of free men,
Resolved with conviction to succeed,
Building towers of strength
Out of the dust.

———

For more First Person posts, please click here.

For more Poetry, please click here.

The post Poetry: Ground Zero appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

The Missionary Spirit was written for my daughter Joann’s birthday when she was on her mission in Argentina…. She had one birthday while serving in Argentina, and I wanted to send her something special that didn’t cost a small fortune. I thought of her and how badly she wanted to serve, the sacrifice on the part of the whole family, and the blessings we all received for her service.

The Missionary Spirit

The glow of missionary spirit
Is welling in your eyes.
Love for the children of the Lord,
Yet, unknown, waiting for His message.

A droplet slips across a cheek
Blushed with joy.
The message is delivered,
Reaping gratitude in return for salvation.

Cherish the moment,
Don’t dab it away,
Relish the days,
Hold fast to the spirit.

Return in triumph, knowing
Christ is love, love is charity,
Charity is service,
Service is you.

– by Dianne Billstrom

*This is Dianne Billstrom’s third poem she has shared with us. We are thankful to her for her willingness to share! If you would like to submit your own poetry, please send it to us via email: ‘mormonwomen’ (or ‘mormonwoman’) at ‘gmail’ dot ‘com’.
——
For more Poetry, please click here.

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The Eagle,

He soars,
The winged prince,
Above the world–
Proud, majestic.

Keen eye,
Bright with challenge
Persevering at
Unattainable height.

Olive branch
Clutched with passion
For peace
And dignity.

You have
Caught the vision,
My son,
And conquered him.

~by Dianne Billstrom

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