After the Birth, the Dedication

SIMEON & ANNA

Simeon wondered

if he were seeing things

He rubbed his tired old eyes

squinted and peered again

at the little family

that came through the Temple doors

The Sanctuary

was shadowy and dim

Flames from the oil lamps

were flickering

Were his eyes playing tricks?

Wasn’t this an ordinary family?

…a couple like any

ordinary Jewish couple

here to present their firstborn son

holy to the Lord?

Nothing special about them

Just poor folk

with two lowly turtledoves

for the sacrifice…yet?

Perhaps this was wishful thinking

Perhaps, his imagination

He needed to be sure

Simeon moved a bit closer

Oh, he’d been waiting so patiently

for the fulfillment of the promise

of the Lord to comfort Israel

He knew He would—

for the Holy Spirit

assured him

he absolutely would not die

until he beheld the Messiah

…but that was long ago

Suddenly an unmistakable quickening

began rising up in his spirit…Yes!

…O Glory! Glory!

He bounded

toward Mary and Joseph

with arms outstretched

and swooped up

their swaddled infant son

uttering prophetic proclamations

jubilant and terrifying

I behold God’s salvation!

A light to the Gentiles

The glory of God’s people Israel

and directly to Mary, he prophesied:

…a sword will pierce your soul

She shuddered…

for she knew God had a plan, but…

What could this mean?

Then the widow Anna approached

Bent and grey and pious

she was a prophetess

who dwelled in the Temple

most of her life, praying

fasting and serving the Lord

with a joyful heart

Spontaneous praise

sprang from her lips

as she beheld the babe

Then Anna proclaimed

to all who would listen:

Come and see…

This is our newborn redeemer!

…from that day forward

Jesus grew

in wisdom and grace

the Cross before Him…

…and a sword did pierce

Mary’s soul

MAUDE CAROLAN PYCH

Something to Read to the Children...

Photo credit: prekfun.com

‘TWAS THE NIGHT…OF ALL NIGHTS!

Children, gather round. It’s time for a story,

one that’s filled with hallelujahs and glory.

It’s about the glorious night of all nights,

angels and magi and sight of all sights!

About God, a virgin, the birth of a king,

wooly sheep, poor shepherds and gift giving!

My story takes place long ago, far away

and starts with a Babe in a crib full of hay;

His mother’s a virgin, His father is God,

the birth, a miraculous Heavenly nod.

The Baby is born in a Bethlehem barn

near a few smelly animals, like on a farm.

Poor shepherds in a field shudder with fright

when suddenly the dark sky fills up with light

as beautiful angels, bright splendors winging

tell of the birth with hallelujahs and singing!

So, the shepherds and sheep the very next morn

set off to visit this special Newborn.

Rich wisemen follow a bright beaming star

to the Bethlehem barn; the journey is far.

They ride astride camels, carrying treasures

to give to the One they’ll worship forever.

Why in the world would they do such strange things?

Why travel so far? Why great treasures bring?

The reason is simple, the Babe in the hay

becomes the world’s Savior, Who takes sin away.

His name is Jesus and He loves you and me

and wants us to love Him for eternity.

That was the night of all nights here on Earth…

the wonderful story of Jesus’ birth!

Maude Carolan Pych

"Holiday Homecoming"

One of the most wonderful things about the Christmas season is getting together with family and friends. There are assorted nut breads in my freezer and tins, tins, and more tins of homemade cookies ready and waiting for the doorbell to start ringing.

'Tis the season to be hospitable...

                                                  

HOLIDAY HOMECOMING

She smiled as she dusted

the ceramic crèche

on the old oak credenza,

sang as she swept the kitchen floor,

even Lysoled the bathroom bowl

with effervescence.

Humming a Yuletide carol, the woman

rolled pastry into a thin rectangle

and cut cookies into shapes

of stars and angels and lambs.

Spontaneous praise proceeded from her lips

as she stuffed the twenty pound turkey,

trussed it tidily,

rubbed it with butter and sage

and lifted it into the moderate oven.

She dressed the table with china and silver,

the slightly yellowed table linen

stored in her mother’s cedar chest,

and a silvery bowl of pink poinsettias

bought at the flower sale at church.

Her feet ached, but her eyes sparkled.

This was among life’s highest joys:

Her adult children would soon be at the door

bringing presents, hugs and laughter

and she would get to serve them Christmas dinner.

Maude Carolan

It's all about...the Lamb--Vol. 17, Issue 4

December 15, 2014
Vol. 17, Issue 4

It’s all about…The Lamb

Maude Carolan Pych/Quarterly Poetry Letter

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches

and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” Rev 5:12 NASB

It’s all about…The Lamb is a quarterly publication for lovers of the Holy Lamb of God, who also enjoy poetry. The purpose is to magnify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and inspire an ever-deepening relationship with Him, the lover of our souls.

FESTIVE HOLIDAY EVENT

MAUDE CAROLAN PYCH—Featured Poet

VICTORIA WARNE—Featured Musician

Friday, December 19^th, 7 p.m.

The ANT Bookstore

345 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ

Press release:

On Friday, December 19th at 7 p.m., the ANT Bookstore and Café at 345 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ, celebrates the festive holiday time with a special poetry and music event. This month’s featured poet is local Totowa resident Maude Carolan Pych, who together with musician Victoria Warne will transform the ANT.  An open mic follows. Free admission. Info: 973-777-2704.

Clifton coordinators – poet James Gwyn and musician Victoria Warne – are always looking for anyone interested in participating. Contact them at the event or at ergo.therefore@gmail.com.

Maude Carolan Pych is a former newspaper reporter who now writes inspirational poetry and poems to record family history. She’s a four-time finalist and twice recipient of Editor's Choice Awards in the Allen Ginsberg contest, and she has won awards for poetry at St. Catherine of Bologna Art Exhibition, Ringwood. Her poems have appeared in The Paterson Literary Review, Sensations Magazine, Lips, The Pillar Monthly, and William W. Francis' book, "Celebrate the Feasts of the Lord." She regularly posts to her blog: http://maudespoems.com. Current chapbooks include God’s Square Mile—Poems about Ocean Grove; A Pilgrim's Quest—A Poet Visits the Holy Land; From My Heart to Yours at Christmas—Cookies & Poems; and The Widow's Song. Maude belongs to the North Jersey Christian Writers Group.  A mother and grandmother, she and her husband, Robert, reside in Totowa. They attend Beth Israel Messianic Center, Wayne, where Maude serves as a deaconess.

Victoria Warne is a singer/songwriter and leader of the Victoria Warne Band. She has played in many local venues and has toured internationally and recorded two CDs that blend blues, rock, and jazz elements. Her many past collaborators have ranged from Spyro Gyra’s Julio Fernandez to jazz great Billy Eckstine. Joining Victoria on December 17^th will be guitarist Cathy Vita of Totowa. Victoria has made Clifton her home since 2004. 

Come, join us…

Admission is free

Refreshments will be served

Open mic follows

MAUDE’S CHRISTMAS POEMS:

This season I wrote and mailed out two Christmas poems to family and friends because I couldn’t decide which one to send. Both poems rhyme. The first one was written during the Christmas season last winter while Christmas cookies were looking so delectable and tempting on the pretty holiday platter. Poem #2 was inspired and penned recently after a radio commercial mentioned the “Season of Lights” and started me thinking about Hanukkah and Christmas, the Light of the World and the candles on the menorah.

+ + + THE POEMS FOLLOW + + +

COOKIES & POEMS

So many Christmas traditions abound—

Old ones get lost and then new ones are found.

Some get omitted, but there are a few

things we love doing and simply must do.

For instance, I write a poem every year—

a real Christmas poem that draws Jesus near;

a poem that lauds Him, Star of the Season,

for He’s this holiday’s only true reason.

The poem’s perfect paper, I search far to find,

arrange words artistically as I’ve in mind,

select address labels with the same theme,

choose envelopes, stamps that go with the scheme.

The pen and the ink are chosen with care.

To use best penmanship, I have a flair!

I write out hundreds with joy and much zest

and sometimes include a few words to bless.

Bob applies the stamps and labels and seals;

a trip to the post office completes the deal.

When they’re mailed, I start thinking cookies—

Trust me, with baking, I am no rookie!

We select recipes; gather the tins,

make sure there’s flour and sugar in bins,

stock up on butter and chocolate and nuts,

molasses and spices and trims lots and lots!

I block off a few days in my datebook,

roll up my sleeves; open up the cookbook.

Chocolate chippers, and shortbread soooo buttery,

sweet sugar cookies, anise biscotti,

spicy pfeffernuesse and wee pecan jewels,

drop cookies, rolled cookies, some cut with tools.

Bob stirs the batters; they’re thick as can be

and he’s the chief taster, take it from me!

Each cookie and poem is fashioned with love—

LOVE is what Christmastime is made up of.

God’s gift of LOVE came with the Savior’s birth

and there’s no other gift of greater worth!

These simple gifts…some cookies, a poem,

for Christmas, to you, from our humble home.

Maude Carolan Pych

DECEMBER LIGHTS

It’s the Season of Lights…We delight in the glow

of Christmas and Hanukkah; the stories we know

of God’s awesome miracles, deliverance and Birth

to show His great Love for all people on Earth.

Alongside our manger there stands a menorah;

we sing Joy to the World and then dance the Hora,

ignite the nine lamps and hang a wreath on the door,

tell of brave Maccabees, the virgin birth and more.

We worship with believers, Gentiles and Jews,

we recite the Shema and share the Good News,

read Old Covenant prophesies from A to Z

like the Gospel revealed in Isaiah Fifty-three!

Our Messiah is Jesus; Yeshua, some say—

He’s the Light of the World; our great hope for today!

We praise Him, adore Him, we’re blessed to impart:

His fire burns brightly in our circumcised hearts!

We believe He was born to save us from sin,

that He died and was buried then rose up again.

By Blood He has saved us, our Atonement, He Is!

By His Resurrection, we’ll live for He Lives!

We are Olive Tree branches, Gentile and Jew—

united in Messiah…and all Born Anew!

Maude Carolan Pych

Comments are always welcome and appreciated. If possible, please post them directly to the website.

Look for the next edition of It’s all about…the Lamb, March 15, 2015

A FEW CLOSING WORDS…

Dear Reader/Subscriber,

Since Christmas is just a few days away…

Take a few minutes to do something Christmassy for yourself: Sing your favorite Christmas carol and meditate upon the lyrics or linger at the crèche or read Luke, Chapter 2 while sipping a cup of peppermint tea. Whatever you do, let it be a sweet time of blessing with the Lord.

Happy Hanukkah to all who are Jewish!

And to all…May 2015 be your best year yet!

And always remember…

God loves ewe!

Maude

After God’s Own Heart Publishing

P.O. Box 2211, Woodland Park, NJ 07424

 thelamb777@optimum.net

          http://maudespoems.com

The Annunciation to the Shepherds

How startled and amazed the shepherds were that night when the sky burst bright with golden light and angels appeared to them, singing...

My poem, "Shepherds" follows. I'd be pleased to hear what you think about the shepherds, the angels, that miraculous night, the poem.

Photo credit: churchoftheworld.com

THE SHEPHERDS

Shepherds recline around the fire

Their long day’s work is done

The air is crisp, the sky is clear

they watch the setting sun

The sheep that grazed the fields by day

now safely sleep nearby

Men each take night-watch turns

to watch for wolves and foxes, sly

They eat some fish, some barley bread

drink water from the well

draw woolen blankets ‘round them, snug

they laugh and stories tell                     

Suddenly the calm is stirred

by singing in the sky

The shepherds lift their drowsy heads

What’s happening and why?

They can’t believe their ears and eyes

for what they hear and see…

a throng of shining faces, wings

snow white and fluttery!

The rugged shepherds tremble

The angels chant, “Do not fear…

We bring you tidings of great joy

all people need to hear

For unto you is born this day

in little Bethlehem—

swaddled in a manger, Christ

The Savior of all men!

Glory to God in the highest!”

sweet angel voices sing

“Peace on earth, goodwill to men”

They proclaim the newborn King!

As the angels take their leave

the men vow in the morn

they’ll go to Bethlehem and seek

The Christ, the newly born

So with the rising of the sun

each with his staff and rod

the shepherds with their sheep set off…

Their quest, the Lamb of God

Arriving at the humble place

the angels sang about

they enter with resounding praise

and hallelujah shouts!

As the shepherds kneel, adoring

a spotless wooly lamb

approaches the lowly manger

and gently nuzzles the I Am

Maude Carolan Pych

This poem appears in my chapbook, From My Heart to Yours at Christmas--Cookies & Poems".

Christmas at the Mall

Well, Thanksgiving is behind us and the frenzy of serious Christmas shopping has begun.  Let's take a deep breath and think about the true meaning of Christmas and not allow the "busyness" of the season to steal our wonder, peace and joy...

CHRISTMAS AT THE MALL

Day after Thanksgiving, at the mall, what is this I see…

Santas sledding in the air and a tinseled Christmas tree,

a roly-poly Frosty, red-nosed Rudolph with some elves,

glittery garlands, balls and bows, bedazzling on the shelves?

The shops are alive with music, “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bells;”

there are “ho, ho, hos,” “let it snows” and cinnamony smells.

It certainly all seems festive, so cheery and so bright,

but what oh what does it have to do with that Holy night?

I cannot find a manger scene, an angel or a star,

I do not see the wisemen…wonder where the shepherds are.

I do not hear a carol or the story of the birth

of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, Who dwelled right here on Earth.

Many, it seems, have cast aside the things that matter most.

By replacing them with fairy-tales, the Treasure became lost.

My heart fills up with sorrow, and I feel the need to prod

the waning faith of restless souls who live apart from God.

We all need to remember the virgin and the Child…

Revive, O Lord, the rock of faith that’s been so long exiled.

Maude Carolan Pych

Announcement:

I will be the featured poet at a special holiday program of poetry & music at The Ant Bookstore, 345 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ, Friday, December 19th at 7 p.m. Holiday music will be provided by Vicki Warne. Come, enjoy and say hello!

Would you like information about ordering my booklet of Christmas poems and cookie recipes? Just scroll all the way to the bottom of this blog to find it.

DINNER WITH THE HOMELESS

The following poem was written several years ago, following a Christmas dinner for the homeless, at Beth Israel Worship Center, then located in Garfield, NJ. Well, I think Thanksgiving is as good a time as any to share it.

Let me take this opportunity to wish each of you a blessed and thankful Thanksgiving Day.

Photo credit: lilesnet.com

THE HOMELESS DINNER

Beth Israel Messianic Center

Long ago, periodic collect calls

came from various cities around the country

from Brad, down on his luck

desperate for quick cash

Tried tough-love

Get a job

Get it together

Go to a mission

His sinister response to that last suggestion

still burns in my ears…

Before I sit through a sermon

for a bowl of soup

I'll stick a gun in my mouth

That catapulted me out the door

to the Western Union desk

one more time

Every winter

my congregation sponsors a dinner

for the homeless

We circulate fliers at shelters

and Penn Station in Newark, the week prior

and arrange for buses and vans

to pick up all who want to come

We cook up our best dishes

bake our most sumptuous treats

and set each table with linen

and a fragrant pink rose in a bud vase

We donate warm coats

and scarves and gloves

soap, toothbrushes and paste

This year there were even

plenty of new eyeglasses

Gary Selman has been emceeing

the event for years

in faded jeans and red muffler

He tells jokes, makes wisecracks

and strums his guitar

An avid collector of Elvis memorabilia,

Gary humorously strikes a "You Ain't Nothin'

But a Hound Dog," pose and asks

Who wants to sing an Elvis song?

The Sanctuary bulges

with a few hundred people

who appear street-wise and unchurched, so

their quick reply takes me by surprise

especially in light of the long ago words

that still smolder like gunpowder

No! they exclaim

No! We want to sing about Jesus!

Gladly, Gary sets himself to strumming

songs to the King of Kings, the Rock of Ages

instead of the long dead King of Rock

One enthusiastic young man

with a Baptist choir voice

takes the mic and sings

"What a Friend We Have in Jesus"

another, a victim of AIDS

comes forward and gives his testimony

Then homeless and congregants

break bread together

in white linen circles of brotherly love

I can see a lot of TLC

went into the cooking, says one

I hope I can get a pair of glasses, says another

Do you think there'll be a coat in my size?

The lining of this one is torn. See?

Twenty-six people accept Jesus

No sermon for soup

Just love in action

That's what serving Jesus

is really all about

 Maude Carolan