December Christmas Acrostic — 'L' [and previous]

Learn of this love that sent us a Saviour,
Lean on that love that offers such succour,
leave all that promises fun, but brings but harm,
lose rubbish and lies for peace and calm,
light to see clearly the pathway to heaven,
love shared with others as we are forgiven,
life of the spirit through trials will sing.

Awaiting hope eternal, bright,
Advent of One with truth and light
Announcement – Christ will mediate,
Arrival we will celebrate,
abundant joy for Christmas songs.

Birth astounding – God has come,
become a human baby son,
born to help the destitute,
bear the blame as substitute,
bringing joy for Christmas songs.

Celebrate his quiet advent,
counting it world’s key event,
come and hear of kindness clear.
Christmas songs throughout the year.

Day of wonder – God on earth,
deigning to experience birth;
doing good, and all respect him,
dying – living, life to bring!
delivering grace in our distress,
disappointments, weariness,
darkness defeated:  Christmas songs.

Ever thankful, sing his praise.
Enter life, led in his ways.   
Embraced by him who formed the earth –
Eternal Son, and from his birth
encouraging exuberant steadfast joy.

Friendship divine he loves to bring,
freedom from guilt and power of sin,
Father in heaven to guide and protect,
follow his will, his wisdom’s correct:
faith and repentance brings feast to the soul.

Gospel – good news – from Bethlehem trace:
gladness whenever we realise his grace.
Guilt has been pardoned, strength given for the race,
growing in faith as life’s trials we face.
God’s goodness and guidance our comforting base.

How can families foregather without a row,
having fun without an alcoholic drunken flow?
His love, forgiveness share,
happy to try to understand, be patient and forbear.
He hears the softest cry, within the heart,
holiness and happiness he can impart.

Illuminations light-up dark December skies.
Inward ignorance enlightened, making wise.
Inside my heart, joy warms, ignites a song –
I want to tell of God who came,
incarnate, God and man, and soon in peace will reign.

Jesus placed to lie in manger.
Jerusalem a place of danger.
Justice denied in human court.
Joy in his suffering, knew he had bought
judgment’s acquittal for all who’ll receive –
joining his family, they
joyfully sing what they believe.

King eternal comes to earth,
knows the price he’ll pay in death,
keys he owns to shatter evil’s grip,
keeps his flock from folly’s slip:
kiss the Son, and join to sing –
kill-joys mock, but love and mercy he can bring.