On my way out to the mailbox, again I felt inspired to write.

I was greeted by the curious cattle as I trod  past their lot.  Frigid temperatures filled the air and spread over the landscape.

Off in the far distance on a rise in our land stood a deer.  Her profile captivated my attention.  What a treat to see her against the backdrop of snow.  By the time I reached my mailbox, she bounded off across the road and on to our neighbor’s field.

As I returned to the farmhouse a little song rang in my head.  I wrote a few words that I think are cheerful as we enter the wintry season filled with cold, snow, drifts, arctic air, etc.

These lyrics I go with a tune I used to sing to my young children.  The tune belongs to the song, “Hello, My Baby.”

“Hello, November”

Hello, November,

How I remember

Summertime’s radiant glow;

Temp’ratures warm and fun,

Working out in the sun.

Now it’s a story of winter’s glory

Blanketing earth with snow.

Oh-oh-oh, sub-zero

Weather, here we go!

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Many years ago I wrote this little prayer and set it to music.  It was a time when rain and clouds hovered and affected a little canoe trip in which I participated. We longed for the sun’s warmth and to feel dry again.

Oh, Lord, bring out the sun

For your children today.

Oh, Lord, bring out the sun

To show them the way.

Brighten every shadow,

Calm every fear.

Oh, Lord, bring out the sun.

Let them know You are here.

This little prayer/melody still applies today.

• Yesterday a deluge flattened our hay.
• This morning before dawn, lightning and thunder preceded more rainfall. These heavy and persistent rains prevent farmers from harvesting their crops.
•  Besides that, the fields are muddy, slippery and can be easily torn up under the farmer’s machinery.  It is a critical time for farming.

Farmers are considered the providers of the world’s food.  As the tempest leaves hardship in its wake, we see how little we control and how much we need to depend on the Lord’s provision.  It is true that He gives us our “daily bread.”

Now, you may not be a farmer.  The sun may not affect your job as much as it does ours. But you may have another tempest that threatens your well-being. Maybe this little prayer/melody will help you if you look at it this way. Crave not only a celestial creation, the sun, but, rather, the Life-giving Son, Jesus.

Oh, Lord, bring out the Son

For your children today.

Oh, Lord, bring out the Son

To show them the way.

Brighten every shadow,

Calm every fear.

Oh, Lord, bring out the Son.

Let them know You are here.

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Blackbirds, trilling melodies,

Cheer the soul;

Announcing their arrival

From winter homes.

Warming sunshine

Spurs melting snow;

Commissioning rivulets to

Fill waterways.

Shrinking snow drifts

Expose remnants

Of grass long hidden –

For months frozen.

A company of robins

Busily forages

Their “birdy” smorgasbord.

Our hearts sing,

“Hail to thee,

Heralds of spring.

Warmly to our home,

We welcome thee.”

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Gray canopy overhead,

Donned with winter jacket and gloves,

Cheeks and chin nipped by cold,

Off I go to mail a card or letter.

The frozen-shut, tin mailbox door

Loosens as I bang on its latch.

Warm greetings rest inside.

The stiffened flag raises with effort.

Kitty rubs at my ankles,

Stretches her forelegs,

Curls her claws into my jeans,

Pleading to climb up on my shoulder.

Fog hovers over the landscape.

Frost trims the evergreens.

Delicate icy crystals hug

The remains of summer’s last weeds.

Silent cows’ eyes follow my steps.

On my way to the house, I stop in my tracks

Listening to December’s chilling silence,

As winter’s grip tightens on the countryside.

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(Excerpt from our book, Tales From Heritage Farm)

Christmas is just ’round the corner,

Folks send news of good cheer;

Items marked down thirty percent,

Sales you must pay for all year.

Children’s hearts full of excitement,

Shoppers hunt for just the right toy.

Is this shopping fuss the answer

To contentment, peace and joy?

Truly unique Christmas giving

Came to earth when God sent us His Son,

Revealing His plan of salvation

Freely offered to everyone.

Believing Jesus’ redemption,

The price He paid for our sins,

His Word assures our adoption

Where fullness of life begins.

Christmas is just ’round the corner,

A time we all can afford.

Through His death and resurrection

We can know Jesus as Lord.

All Christmas gifts must be  purchased.

Jesus bought a present for you –

A new life just for the asking,

And a home in Heaven, too.

Joy is not wrapped up in  presents;

Doll, trinkets, high-tech, or clothes.

Find your fullment in Jesus.

Each need and desire He knows.

Turn your life over to Jesus.

He will not turn you away.

Give Him your heart’s true devotion.

Do not wait, do it today.

Yes, Christmas is ’round the corner.

It could be the best one yet.

When your life, too, turns the corner,

A choice you will not regret.

For Christmas giving see the Christmas greeting cards available in our catalog.

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