THE PERFECT GIFT

by Dawn Baumeister

I longed to give my friend a gift--

A treasure of great worth,

But I had no wealth to spend,

No riches here on earth.

I longed to give my friend a gift--

A source of lasting joy;

Not something that would fade with time

Or break like some cheap toy.

I longed to give my friend a gift--

To show that someone cares,

A gift of love and sacrifice

To which no gift compares!

At last, I found the perfect gift!

It's priceless, yet it's free!

It never will grow old with time;

Its love would fill the sea!

It is the gift of God's dear Son,

Sent down from Heaven's throne

To give His life to pay for sin--

No greater love was shown.

If you accept this gift by faith,

In Jesus you will find

The joy of His forgiveness that

Will bring true peace of mind.

And when your days on earth are done,

A door will open wide

To everlasting life with Him

Who lives, though once He died!

  

GOD'S PLAN

by Dawn Baumeister

 

 

It was God's plan that shepherds

Should be the first to hear

The news that the Good Shepherd

Was born in stable near.

 

The brightness of His angel,

To them so troublesome,

Declared the message clearly,

"The Light of the World has come!" 

 

The wisemen came to worship

The Counselor all-wise.

King Herod sought to kill Him,

The King of Kings in guise.

 

Joseph named Him Jesus--

Though his adopted Son,

Yet Everlasting Father--

He and God are One.

 

Young Mary gave birth to Him

Who gave His life for all.

She called on Him as Savior

In answer to His call.

 

They brought Him to the temple,

Our great High Priest for sin.

Priest Simeon's eyes were opened:

The Christ has entered in!

 

A prophetess named Anna

Thanked God for what He'd shown:

That this was the Great Prophet,

Redeemer of His own.

 

For us He is the Answer

To wars that never cease,

So Wonderful, the Mighty God,

The coming Prince of Peace,

 

Emmanuel (God with us)

Master, Lord, and Friend,

The Truth, The Way, The Bread of Life,

Beginning and the End.

 

The Lamb of God, the Lion,

The Bridegroom and the Vine,

The only Mediator.

(The virgin was a sign.)

 

The Resurrection and the Life,

The Door to Heaven above. 

God planned it all for you and me

Because of His great love.

 

So if you need a Shepherd

To guide you on your way,

Or if you're seeking Wisdom

Beyond what mere men say,

 

If you need an Answer

To the war within,

If you want Redemption

From the power of sin,

 

Come humbly to the Savior,

Our Sacrifice for sin.

He knocks upon your heart's door--

Won't you let Him in? 

 

 

   

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE MIRACULOUS BIRTH

by Dawn Baumeister

A promised seed, conceived in Eden,

When sin was born in the heart of man;

A nation sown in the loins of Abram

To carry out the Father's plan;

The place foretold, the city of David,

The chosen King of Israel;

A virgin called to receive the blessing,

To bear a Son--Immanuel;

A sacrifice, a Son is given

To take away the sins of men;

A sinner comes, to be forgiven--

A child of God is born again!

"For the wages of sin is death,

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord."

(Romans 6:23)

   

CHRISTMAS WISH

by Dawn Baumeister

Merry--yes, we hope it is,

But oh--much more than this!

We wish you lasting inner joy

Akin to Heaven's bliss!

Blessed Christmas many say

And yes, that is our prayer--

May blessings from the Father's hand

Proclaim His loving care.

Christ-filled Christmas says it all--

This is the only way

To know God's blessings and true joy

So that's our wish today!

HAVE A CHRIST-FILLED CHRISTMAS!

  

CALVARY CHRISTMAS

by Dawn Baumeister

More than presents wrapped with bows,

More than shopping midst light shows,

More than sending scores of cards,

More than decorating yards,

More than eating fancy sweets,

Candy canes and salty meats,

More than trimming trees and doors,

More than music in the stores,

Much more than these the value of

A Christmas filled with Calvary love.

 

THREE TREES OF CHRISTMAS

by Dawn Baumeister

O, Christmas tree, so tall and green,

Your boughs bedecked with rainbow sheen,

Your lights remind me of the birth

Of One who lights the world, whose worth

Far exceeds the gifts we give;

He came to die so we could live.

It all began in Eden fair

With one choice tree God planted there

To test the heart of man to see

If he would bow to God or tree,

To test man's faith in God's own Word:

"You shall not eat" is what they heard.

A serpent came and told some lies.

('Twas Satan really in disguise.)

He contradicted God and said,

"Take, eat, you surely won't be dead."

The woman took the fruit and ate,

Then shared it with her willing mate.

From that day on death entered in

To pay the penalty for sin.

Man chose that day to disobey,

But God prepared another way

To take away the sin of man--

To pay the debt was God's great plan.

So God prepared another tree

To plant upon Mt. Calvary

And planted in the womb of one

The seed of His own sinless Son,

Begotten as our sacrifice

To bear our sin, to pay the price.

It worked! For though He died that day,

His body did not stay that way;

His broken body in the grave

Became first fruits of life to save

Mankind from sin and death's decay.

"Take, eat," He said. "I am the way."

No works of man can earn a place

In Heaven, only by God's grace

Through His shed blood on Calv'ry's tree

Where Jesus died for you and me,

The debt is paid, the gift receive--

Eternal life--bow and believe!

"The wages of sin is death,

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus our Lord."

Romans 6:23
 

   

GOOD NEWS

by Dawn Baumeister

"Fear not: for behold, I bring you

good tidings of great joy, which shall

be to all people."   Luke 2:10

In a world of tribulation

Where men of terror plot,

To those who stop and listen,

God's message is, "Fear not!"

As you turn away in horror

From gruesome scenes untold,

Hear the words of promise,

Calling out, "Behold!" 

Behold the babe in manger,

The Cross that's made of wood,

Look! the tomb is empty!

Rejoice--God's news is good!

What the wide world offers,

Vain pleasures that destroy,

Will fade if we will listen--

God offers us great joy!

God loves the world this moment;

Hear His tender call;

Stop and look and listen--

God's gift is meant for all!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but
 have everlasting life." John 3:16      

 

    

LIFE-CHANGING CHOICES

by Dawn Baumeister

God chose a humble maiden,

Not a stately queen,

To bear the Babe so laden

With royalty unseen.

God chose some shepherds keeping

Their flocks (not some great king)

To wake up from their sleeping

To hear the angels sing.

God chose a lonely preacher,

And not a royal train,

To introduce the Teacher.

"Repent!" was his refrain.

God chose four men a-fishin'

(Not scholars of the day).

He sent them on a mission

And taught them what to say.

God chose a begging lame man

To glorify His Name.

He touched and healed the same man

And took away his shame.

God chose the Crucifixion

(His loss would be our gain)

Instead of Coronation

(In due time He will reign).

God chose a woman grieving

(From whom the demons fled)

To see (and thus believing)

Christ risen from the dead.

God chose to draw me to Him

When I had turned away;

My life was transformed through Him

My night was turned to day.

God chose to share this good news

With you--won't you receive

His gift of life? Won't you choose

To trust Him and believe?

  

THE GIFT OF LOVE

by Dawn Baumeister

When I was young, I sought the Truth,
But found it ever-changing;
The precepts it was based upon
Were always rearranging.

I sought the key to Happiness
But found it ever-fleeting;
Like waves that roll toward the shore,
I found it soon retreating.

I looked for true and lasting Love,
But found it unfulfilling;
It didn't match the books and films
That pictured it as thrilling.

I longed for Peace within my heart
And in the world around me,
But only felt a restlessness,
And warfare did surround me.

I longed for Purpose, Light and Hope,
But only found confusion;
Security and certainty
Were only an illusion.

I fell into a deep, dark pit
Filled only with despiar;
But through the darkness came a Light
Which lifted me from there.

It was the Light which wise men sought
So very long ago;
Now so-called wise men turn away
And into darkness go.

That Babe they worshiped as a King
Was God come from above;
He came to offer all mankind
The greatest gift of love.

While in the dark and lonely pit,
I saw a shining light;
It shone upon my sin and shame
Like floodlights in the night.

A gentle voice called out to me:
"Come unto me and rest."
And then I knew that I had reached
The end of my long quest.

He offered me the Gift of Love,
And gladly I received;
I asked Him to forgive my sins,
And told Him I believed.

Believed the written Word of God,
Which tells of His great love,
Of how He died for sin, then rose,
And now lives up above.

That day I found a changeless Truth
And Joy that will not fade,
A Love that thrills and fills my heart,
And peace in Heaven made;

I found the Purpose for my life,
And Hope in what's to be,
For in that Gift of Love, I found
I'll live eternally!
 
 

LESSONS FROM THE NATIVITY

by Dawn Baumeister

Christmas is a time for trusting

In the power of the Lord,

As sweet Mary learned to trust Him

Although pierced by sorrow's sword.

Christmas is a time for doing

All that God's Word bids us do

With the willingness of Joseph

Who believed God's Word as true.

Christmas is a time for gladness

That the Savior has been born;

Peace He brings! rejoiced the angels,

Though the earth by war was torn.

Christmas is a time for sharing

All that we have seen and heard;

As the shepherds spread the tidings,

Let us share the Living Word.

Christmas is a time for praising

God for promises fulfilled;

With just Simeon and Anna,

Marveling, our hearts are thrilled!

Christmas is a time for worship

As we bow before our King;

Let us magnify with wise men

Him who took away death's sting.

Christmas is real joy unending

When we come to God in prayer,

Trusting Christ to be our Savior,

Then obey, praise, worship, share.

   

This poem is the first Christmas poem I sent out with a Christmas newletter in 1987.

THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL

by Dawn Baumeister

Behind this message of love

Is a prayer to God above

That in this Christmas season

You will realize its reason.

For Christmas would not be

If it were not for the tree--

Not evergreen or pine

But of another kind.

Two sticks of wood were bound,

And then, instead of crowned,

The King of kings was slain

Who had once in manger lain.

We speak of love and peace,

But war will never cease

Until the Savior comes

And Satan's host succumbs.

My friend, the only way

To know true joy today

Is through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Through the pages of His Word.

So as you give and get,

Be sure you don't forget

Why we celebrate

This specific date.

It's more than feeling good

Or doing what we should..

It's to tell each one who lives

That the Son of God forgives!

If Him you do not know,

Then He's eager to bestow

The greatest gift of all

As by faith on Him you call.

"For whosoever shall call upon the

name of the Lord shall be saved."

(Romans 10:13)

 

   

Last night I watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with my family. It reminded me of one of the Christmas poems I have written. What happens to Christmas when all of the trimmings are taken away?

WOULD THERE BE A CHRISTMAS?

by Dawn Baumeister

Take away the tinsel, the presents, and the tree,

The shopping and the cookies, the child on Santa's knee.

Would there be a Christmas for you and for me?

Take away the carols, the small nativity,

The reading of the story, the church activity.

Would there be a Christmas for you and for me?   

Take away the people, the friends and family,

Past celebrations, the cherished memory.

Would there be a Christmas for you and for me?

Take away the Christ child who came to set us free,

Leave Him out of Xmas and out of history.

Would there be a Christmas for you and for me?

A soldier in a foxhole, a martyr in a cell

Celebrate the Babe who alone can save from hell.

That's the heart of Christmas; all else is just the shell.

Enjoy the gifts and tinsel, the carols and the tree;

Enjoy the Christmas story, the friends and family;

But don't forget the Savior, who died for you and me. 

  

Here is another Christmas poem I have written. Like the shepherds on the night of Christ's birth, I want to praise and glorify God for what He has done.

LISTEN TO THE CAROLS
by Dawn Baumeister

Have you room for Jesus

In your life today?

Will you stop to listen

To what He has to say?

Listen to the carols

Telling of His birth;

They reveal the reason

God sent His Son to earth.

Listen to the silence

Of a holy night;

A mother holds a child

Who'll make all darkness light.

Bethlehem so silent--

Then a baby's cry

Pierced the sleeping stillness

With news that God was nigh!

Behold the King of angels! 

Behold the KIng of all!

Come before His presence,

On bending knees do fall.

Hark! The angels singing!

Hear their message clear--

Reconcilation

With God is what we hear.

Rest in this, be merry,

Do not be dismayed;

God has sent a Savior

To rescue all who've strayed. 

He left His throne of glory

And put aside His crown;

His life He lived among us,

For us He laid it down.

Hear the midnight promise 

Of the glorious song--

Peace on earth through Jesus!

He will right all wrong!

Joy is everlasting

To all who Him receive;

Prepare your heart for Jesus--

Just listen and believe.

Have you room for Jesus?

If not, make room today.

Take time to stop and listen

To all He has to say.

Take time to read the Bible,

Take time to bow in prayer;

He'll fill lyour life with purpose

And lift your load of care.