Santa or Jesus

She looked like an angel in her little red coat
A white scarf wrapped snugly and tied at her throat
Snowflakes sparkled in her golden hair
And in her hands she clutched a small teddy-bear
The crowds scurried past her, their thoughts on the morrow
Unaware of the girl and the hint of sorrow
That shone in her eyes as she gazed at the sled
Where-on sat a jolly old man in red

The excited laughter of the children around her
Did not lift the shadow that seemed to surround her
Yet she watched as they climbed on the old man’s knee
To tell what their wants and wishes would be
…in the distance the bells from the tall church steeple
Hailed to the streets still crowded with people
For daylight was fading, but the chill in the air
Went unnoticed by the girl with the teddy-bear

The old man didn’t see her ‘til the noisy crowds dwindled
As they rushed to the warmth of home-fires kindled
Then he beckoned to the sad-faced little girl
Who suddenly looked as if she carried the world
With all of its trouble on her wee shoulders
And he knew he simply HAD to hold her
--to ask her what caused her young heart to grieve
On this greatest of nights, this Christmas Eve

She timidly approached his gift-laden sled
“Come, don’t be afraid” the jolly man said
“It’s your turn now and I think you’ll be
The last child this year to sit on my knee
Come now and tell Santa what troubles you so
For this is the best night of the year, don’t you know?”
Then onto his lap she gratefully snuggled
To tell dear old Santa why her heart was troubled

“Well” she began “It’s like this, you see”
And she paused as she brushed some snow from his knee
Then Santa pulled a big warm blanket around them
As Christmas Eve began to surround them
“Mama says it is Jesus who is the reason
We celebrate Christmas every season
That Santa is a creature of our imagination
Who has nothing to do with this celebration”

Silently Santa watched the snowflakes swirl
As he pondered the words of this little girl
Then in a husky voice he gently said
“You have a very wise mother indeed
Jesus is the reason, don’t you ever forget it
Santa adds the magic, perhaps if you let it
And, my dear little girl, would it surprise you
To know that this Santa loves Jesus too?

For Santa would have no reason to bring
Gifts for the children if not for a King
Who was laid in a manger where wise men from afar
Gave the first Christmas gifts ‘neath Bethlehem’s star
And old Santa’s reindeer flying through the air
Could never even begin to compare
To the host of angels bent low to the earth
To tell the shepherds of Jesus birth

Cause Jesus IS the truth and Santa’s the mystery
The jolly ho ho! in this season’s history
For to Christmas truth Santa’s no stranger
All that I know I learned at the manger
Gifts remind us of hope, peace, love and joy
Such as Heaven gave earth in that baby boy
So my dear little girl, I agree with your mother
Jesus IS the reason, there is no other”

The little girl quietly pondered his words
As she ran her fingers through his frosty beard
When suddenly she clapped her little hands
“I get it” she cried, “I now understand!”
Then a little girls laughter and Santa’s ho ho
Rang our ‘cross the town all covered in snow
And they shouted with joy, “It’s ok to believe
In Jesus and Santa on Christmas Eve!”

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Janet Martin

A light-hearted story in defense of all the
‘daddy and grand-daddy santa’s’
who bring squeals of delight to excited children!
AND STILL LOVE JESUS!!!

Do I See Him?

A misty splash of velvet glaze
Escapes the painter’s brush
Melting in a purple haze
Upon the morning hush
And as I stand in wordless awe
Bathed in daylight dim
Do I simply see the dawn?
Or do I see Him?

As duty calls my restless feet
And bids me cease my dreaming
Of shady haunts and lost retreats
And distant hills a-gleaming
A sigh escapes as I return
To duty’s flowing brim
But midst the dreams for which I yearn
Do I see Him?

As blacks and purples softly blend
In wisps of joy and sorrow
As heartache eases with a friend
And gives hope for tomorrow
Or as I pause at sunsets brink
With shadows growing dim
Do I simply pause to think?
Or do I see Him?

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Janet Martin


Search me O God, and know
my heart.
Try me and know my thoughts. Ps.139:23

Dog-poop Brownies

They look absolutely decadent
Rich, chocolate-y and sweet
Go ahead and take a big one
You deserve a special treat
But I feel I ought to warn you
As I see your hefty scoop
There’s a secret ingredient
Half a teaspoon of dog-poop

Compared to all the nuts and butter
The eggs and sugar too
Compared to all the yummy chocolate
In this sweet and sticky goo
There really isn’t any reason
That you should need to worry
What’s a little dog-poop
In a pile of chocolate glory?

In spite of my convincing
Politely you decline
They still look so inviting
But you say you’ve changed your mind
It seems my honest warning
Caused you to think again……
Well, the dog-poop in the brownie
Is like ‘just a little sin’

So if perhaps you’re thinking
That a little sin won’t hurt
That somehow you deserve it
Like a decadent dessert
I’m hoping you’ll remember
This story if you can
And just a little bit of ‘dog-poop’
Spoils the entire pan

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Janet Martin

This analogy was used by Dr. James Dobson.
I heard it years ago and never forgot it!
A little sin defiles the whole. He said to think about it...
does this make any sense???
"It's a good movie, hardly any swearing
and just a little bit of violence!"?

This is a comparison even children
can understand:):)

My sincere apologies if you find this
offensive, but I simply ask you,
Is there anything more offensive than SIN???

The Dance

Once upon a greener day
We danced where dreams and daisies lay
Oblivious to eternal truth
Fleeting are the days of youth
But still we laughed in summer’s dance
Ignoring autumn’s furtive glance

Cast off the worry of tomorrow
Dance before your hour of sorrow
Youth is but a brief respite
Before life’s cold and bitter fight
Out upon the summer green
Dance, for Time is swift and keen

Fleeting moment in the sun
Summer soon like youth is gone
But the music soft and low
Keeps us humming as we go
We dance a little slower now
Yet it is just as sweet somehow

I will dance on winter’s snow
For in your eyes I see a glow
Then surely I can bear December
For within the smoldering embers
I still see the tender gleam
Of days gone by, as we would dream

Hold me close, our steps are slow
Soon across the green we’ll go
And we can dance eternally
With our soul and spirit free
Upon a fair and heavenly shore
Where time and age will be no more

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Janet Martin

Now these three remain,
Faith, hope and love,
but the greatest of these is love.1 Cor. 13:13

...because God has said,
Never will I leave you,
never will I forsake you. Heb.13:5

Don't Do It

Everyone seems to think it is fine
They succumb while I fight this temptation of mine
Perhaps it won’t hurt, just one little try
Millions have done it so why not I?
But as I pause once more to view it
I hear a soft voice say “Don’t do it”

But look! See all the countless masses
Indulging in temptation’s passes
They laugh; as in merriment they go
While I must fight what tempts me so
About to fold, I pause to view it
I hear the soft voice say “Don’t do it”

I have reached my weakest hour
“Lord” I cry “Oh, be my power
I hear Your voice, I know You’re right
But without You I cannot fight”
He whispers as I pause to view it
“I love you, my child don’t do it”

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Janet Martin

No temptation has seized you
except what is common to man.
And God is faithful;
He will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear.
But when you are tempted
he will also provide a way out
so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor.10:13

The Wall

With my lips I whisper “I surrender all”
In my heart I know He beholds The Wall
Brick on brick with fear and pride
His still small voice I have defied

I defend this secret part
As with my thoughts The Wall I guard
My love for Him vainly I claim
For He can see The Wall of shame

“Surrender all” I hear His plea
“The Wall has no security
I am here if you should fall
Won’t you march around The Wall?”

Like Joshua in days of old
I will make you brave and bold
March until the bricks all crumble
I am here if you should stumble”

In the quiet of the night
I surrender in my fight
Lord, help me trust You as I call
Lord Jesus, take away The Wall

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Janet Martin

What shall we say then?
Shall we go on sinning
that grace may abound?
By no means!!!! Rom.6:1

Longing

So, I’m thinking perhaps, that maybe
The things I’m longing for
Are not the plans You have for me….
The goodness yet in store
Perhaps I’ve never really sought
The fullness of Your will
The longing deep within my thought
Simply the void for You to fill

I’m thinking maybe all this time
That I’ve misunderstood
The meaning in the simple line
That You are great and good
The frame on which I measure
The essence of Your love
Cannot portray this treasure
That You shower from above

You can satisfy our longing
Each aching, deep desire
Our thirst for true belonging
Can be quenched as You inspire
Within Your out-stretched arms, oh Lord
You seek to draw us near
To satisfy the longing heart
With perfect love so dear

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Janet Martin
02/12/09

"For I know the plans I have for you,"
declares the Lord,"Plans to prosper you
and not to harm you.plans to give you hope
and a future". Jer. 29:11

I was thinking about a Psalm I had with
a poem yesterday....Ps.145:19,
and how He tells us He will give us the desires
of our heart....it got me to thinking.

Name Above All Names

Do you ever hear a name that makes your heart skip a beat?
Or puts a smile upon your lips or music in your feet?
Does mentioning a certain name pierce to your inner-most?
Does it make you misty-eyed or longing for the past?
Oh, the mention of a name can bring us joy or agony
But there’s one Name which never disappoints, but sets us free

Cho. What do you feel when you hear His name-JESUS?
The Holy One, the Perfect Lamb-JESUS
Does it bring a joyful smile to your face?
As you hear the name of Amazing Grace-JESUS

Knowing someone gives a name some personality
When people hear my name I wonder what they think of me
But man-kind with its countless names will someday all depart
A name is just a name until connected to the heart
And then the sound of that dear name can thrill so very much
But there’s a timeless name which someday every heart will touch

Cho. It is a name above all other names-JESUS
Yesterday, today and forever the same-JESUS
Does His name bring fear or peace to your soul?
A name above all names as eternities roll-JESUS

It’s a name bringing freedom, love, joy, hope and peace
A name that reigns eternally with power that will not cease
Oh, when you hear this Name does it stir wonder in your heart?
As you cry Lord Jesus, Father, Savior, O, how great Thou art
It’s a Name above all names that loves mankind and frees us
Are you connected with this name above all names-IT’S JESUS

Cho. Repeat it, shout it, whisper it-JESUS
Sweeter and sweeter, our Savior is JESUS
Name above all other names evermore
Name above all other names we adore-JESUS

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Janet Martin

.....and you are to give Him the name JESUS.
He will be great and will be called
the Son of the most high. Luke1:31-32

www.frontporchpoetry-janet.blogspot.com

My Want List

I want to encourage others in all the words I say,
I want to spread a little bit of happiness each day,
I want to lift the heavy load
Of those I meet upon life’s road,
And never walk a wasted mile,
Forgetting how to pray or smile

I want to think a little less
Of selfish goals or wants,
I want a failing memory
When evil gossip taunts
I want a thought-life, good and pure,
A faith in God that will endure,
Should time of fear or testing be
I want to stand, my God, for Thee

I want to learn to seal my lips
To words that hurt or hinder,
And should some words unbidden slip
I want them to be kinder,
I want to stand on that glad day,
Not drooping low in sad dismay,
But hear these words ring loud and fervent,
Well done, thou good and faithful servant

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Janet Martin

He fulfills the desires of
those who fear Him. Ps.145:19

Thank-you Song

What a privilege, what a blessing
That we all could gather here
Listening to the poems and singing
Fills each weary heart with cheer
Friends and neighbors, teachers, children
Gathered here to celebrate
God of earth and God of heaven
He is good and He is great

He sent Jesus to a manger
To be born so long ago
But He needs not be a stranger
For this Jesus loves us so
As we listen(ed) to your program
We wish to say a big thank-you
To the teacher and the children
For the hard work that you do

So to Jesus up in Heaven
May we have a thankful heart
For the talents He has given
So we all can do our part
Never seeking selfish glory
Never seeking man’s vain praise
But to tell the greatest Story
And to serve Him all our days

Thank-you teachers, thank-you students
Thank-you helpful moms and dads
May God help us to be prudent
Serving Him with hearts so glad
May He bless each one who’s present
Be our light when Light is dim
May we thank Him for each blessing
As we seek to follow Him

-Janet Martin-
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My sister wondered if I could
write words to the tune of a familiar hymn,
so the parents could sing a thank-you song
to the students after the school Christmas concert.
This poem can be sung to the tune of
'Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing'.

Last Night.....

Last night, my dear you came to me
And things were like they used to be
There for a tender little while
Once again I saw your smile
As we walked in dewy bliss
Of dawn; where nothing was amiss
Or there to hinder the blue gaze
Of love in summer’s misty haze

We wandered in the garden fair
Where none but you and I were there
Upon its ivy wall we sat
As we’d recall our ‘this and that’
We basked beneath the willow tree
Content in silent reverie.....
Every dream may have its day
When I awoke you slipped away

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Janet Martin 01/12/09


Lord, you know each one of my friends
who have lost their soul-mate.....
Sustain them Lord, until they meet again.

I Prefer the Sun

I watch your winsome flicker dance
My gaze is drawn into your trance
As I absorb your golden glow
The icy winds of winter blow

You lure the cold spectator near
Home fires burning, warm and dear
Your flames, a cheery, crackling dance
You hypnotize the passing glance

Around a glowing winter hearth
Sweet the memories of our mirth
I keep and cherish every one
But frankly….I prefer the sun

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Janet Martin
01/12/09

So, I needed to 'fire up'
the wood-stove now.
about a month later than
I usually need to.
We had an occasional fire
during November, but on the whole
our November was very 'kind'.