Momentum

       Many men fail to overcome sharp temptation because they have not by long previous habits acquired the momentum of right thought and right action. We can not fly unless we have learned to walk and to run.

        "Any one who has ever watched a heavy bird rise from the ground," says the American Inventor, "has doubtless noticed that it runs along the ground for a few feet before it rises; the bird must acquire some momentum before its wings can lift its heavy body into the air. The natives in certain parts of the Andes understand this fact very well and by means of it catch the great Andean vultures, the condors. A small space is shut in with a high fence and left open at the top. Then a lamb or a piece of carrion is placed on the ground inside. Presently a vulture sees the bait and swoops down upon it ; but when once he finds he has alighted on the ground inside he can not get out, for he has no running space in which to acquire the momentum that is necessary before his wings can lift him."

• Momentum Attracts
• Creating Spiritual Momentum In Your Church
• Run The Race
  

The Holy Child

Mary and her infant, Jesus.

 

The Holy Child.

Rome was the world's proud mistress,

And would tax her subjects all:

Thus every man, to his own town,

Received Imperial call.

And Joseph, wed to Mary,

Must go to Judah's land,

And, with the sons of David,

Must take his lineal stand.

Then, from Nazareth, he journeyed,

With his fair and gentle spouse

To Bethlehem of Judea,

The place of David's house.

But when-- their journey ended--

They sought repose to win,

Their lodging was a stable,

So crowded was the inn. 

And to that stable, lowly,

In humble, human guise,

There came a babe most holy,

Descended from the skies.

'Tis written that the angel

Had to the virgin come,

And told her that this Holy Child

With her should make his home.

And now a rosy light from heaven

On Bethlehem's city shone;

And this was the first Christmas

The world had ever known.

For Jesus was the promised Christ,

So long ago foretold--

The Kind that all the Jewish race

Were longing to behold.

Mary's Visit to Elizabeth

Mary's Visit to Elizabeth

Now Mary felt a longing

To see her cousin dear,

And with Elizabeth to spend

A season of good cheer.

And so in haste, and early,
She started forth one day,
And journeyed to a city
In Judea's hills away.

For there dwelt Zacharias,
And Elizabeth so pure,
And, entering in, the virgin found
A welcome, warm and sure.

For the Holy Ghost gave token
To Elizabeth's glad heart,
That her visitor, in God's wise plan,
Should have a happy part.

Then out she spake, exultant,
"O, why to me accord
The honor of a visit.
From the mother of my Lord?

"And blessed is she for evermore,
Who humbly hath believed,
For every word shall come to pass
Which she from God received."

And Mary said: "O how my soul.
Jehovah magnifies!
And how my spirit joys in God,
My Savior, 'bove the skies!

"For He hath had regard unto
His handmaid's low estate,
And henceforth all shall call me blest--
The humble and the great.

"For He, the high and mighty One
Hath done to me great things,
And holy is His honored name;
His praise my spirit sings.

"His mercy they that fear His name
Enjoy from day to day;
From age to age it is the same,
And shall be so alway.

"And He hath shown abroad the strength
Of His almighty arm;
For He hath chased the proud, who sought
To do the humble harm.

"He hath put down the mighty
From their haughty seats on high;
And lifted up the lowly to
The region of the sky.

"His hand hath filled the hungry poor
With daintiest of food,
And the rich he hath sent empty
Away from hope of good.

"He hath come to the assistance
Of His servant Israel's race;
In remembrance of His mercy,
His promise and His grace,

"As He spake, in the beginning,
To Abraham, our head,
And to Jewish tribes for ever--
Naught hath failed of all He said."

After this the virgin Mary
With Elizabeth, so true,
Made a pleasant three months' visit,
Then to he home withdrew.

Now that great thing did come to pass,
Which Gabriel had foretold,
In the sacred temple service,
To Zacharias old.

And soon Elizabeth recieved
The promised baby boy;
And gazing on the heavenly gift,
Her heart was filled with joy.

And all her friends and cousins,
To whom the tidings went,
Came with their gratulations,
Upon the glad event.

Then on the day of naming
The parents both agreed
That John the infant should be called,
As Gabriel had decreed.

And the speech of Zacharias
Immediately returned;
He praised and glorified the Lord,
His heart with fervor burned.

And fear came on the neighbors all,
As these things were noised abroad;
And they said: "What kind of child is this
Who comes, foretold of God?

But the hand of God rich blessings
On the babe, each day, bestowed;
And the heart of Zacharias
With the Holy Ghost o'erflowed.

And he burst forth in thankfulness,
And praised, and prophesied
Of all the wondrous goodness
That should to me betide.

For the light of inspiration
Had shown to him, indeed,
That his son was the Elias,
Who should the Lord precede.

A Simple Swiss Bell Pattern

A very simple pattern of a bell that you may print, cut and trace around on fabric,
 cardboard and Styrofoam for your Chrismon crafting

       "It is not known exactly when bells were introduced into the Christian Church; but it is certain that large bells of the form with which we are familiar were not invented until after some centuries of  Christianity. The small and often clandestine congregations of the ages of persecution needed no audible signal to call them together; but with the advent of peaceful times, and the growth of the  congregations, some method of summons doubtless came to be considered necessary." Beauchamp

A Holly Branch Banner

Description of Clip Art:  black and white drawing of a branch with holly berries and holly leaves above, banner trim for Christmas and Advent, white background, comes in four green and red variations as well.

holly branch banner in red onlh

holly branch banner in red and green, predominantly green

holly branch banner in green only

holly branch banner in red and green, predominantly red

Have a question about the illustration? Just type it in the comment box and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. I only publish content that is closely related to the subject folks.

A Candle Stick and Holly Wreath

Description of Clip Art:  black and white drawing of a candle stick and holly wreath, burning flame, mantle, Christmas Clip Art, white background

Have a question about the illustration? Just type it in the comment box and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. I only publish content that is closely related to the subject folks.

Cash Symbol Frame

Description of Clip Art:  black and white drawing of a money bag and cash symbols 

Have a question about the illustration? Just type it in the comment box and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. I only publish content that is closely related to the subject folks.