Shortest Day of the Year

 

 

All o’ that fuss

And the day is gone,

It will never be repeated

In the beyond.

 

Shortest 24 hours

Christmas lovers will agree

Whether one spends it quietly

Or go on a spree.

 

I am for the quiet kind

On account of my age,

I prefer a stay-at-home Christmas

At my brittle stage.

 

Either way I repeat

Christmas is far too short

But be grateful for its meaning

I do exhort.

 

 

 

Heaven on earth

In the person of love,

Sent to us that first Christmas

From above.

 

Pagan, some say,

I shout “No, God!”

Emmanuel meaning God with us

Here and abroad.

 

It’s the shortest day

Yet an eternity

When one gets past the fun

And frivolity.

 

It lasts forever

In the believer’s heart:

The one that was born-again

From the very start.

 

Not superficiality

But God deep within,

Having sent His begotten Son

To save us from sin.

 

Thus, Christmas extends

Throughout the year

With its very special celebration

On Christmas Day.

 

This one has gone

But another will beckon

And so, all like now I look forward

To the next one.

 

However, I thank God

I have seen this one,

It’s my seventy second Christmas

And yes, it is gone.

 

The melancholy is not

Like in years gone by

But to say I am not missing it

Would be a lie.

 

The day was too short

But I fully enjoyed it

On account of the indwelling

Of Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

‘Tis the real meaning

Of Emmanuel,

God is with me every single day

And not for a spell.

 

Herein is the difference

I’d finally say,

The Christ of Christmas is with me

Every single day.

 

Stewart Russell © December 26, 2025

 

Born Again

 

 

How many times, I ask,

Can one be born again?

Once, twice, three times, maybe four?

What is your truth claim?

 

Can anyone know for sure

That his or her name is written

In the Lamb’s book of life

Which is held in heaven?

 

What assurance is there

That we are born again

If this event occurs over and over

Again, and again?

 

 

“Rejoice,” stated Jesus,

“Your names are written in heaven,”

By implication meaning

You are also forgiven.

 

Chosen in Christ Jesus

Before the foundation of the world,

Go to Ephesians 1 and verse 4

In case you haven’t heard.

 

Can it be scratched out?

I am referring to a name

And be re-entered into the book

Again, and again?

 

Whether yes or no

Show me from the Word

For if yes is the stated answer

We ought to be disturbed.

 

Jesus knows who are his

And his should know him too

For they bear the Spirit’s seal;

Tell me, do you?

 

Is my name written there

On the page bright and fair?

The question of a beautiful hymn,

Is my name written there?

 

 

One must be born again

Not of physical rebirth

But born again of the Holy Spirit;

Of heaven, not of earth.

 

It is a work of grace,

God’s grace I need to add

And it continues in the Holy Spirit

Minus all manmade fads.

 

Plain and straightforward

As told to teacher, Nicodemus,

“Ye must be born again,”

The very words of Jesus.

 

How many times, I ask,

Can one be born again?

Once, twice, three times, maybe four?

What is your truth claim?

 

 

Once, it appears to me,

Not what Nicodemus thought

And so, as in the natural,

It is only once wrought.

 

I know it is puzzling

Re the saving claim of people

That live somewhat differently

From kingdom principles.

 

But leave it to the Lord,

He knows who belong to him,

Just know if you’ve been born again

You’ve been saved from sin.

 

Stewart Russell © June 14, 2024