Sale Time!!

Now it's that “in between” time

Some back at work,some not

When we wander down to the sales

To find out what they've got.

The Christmas gift sets now half price

As we'd anticipated

We could have bought folk twice as much

If only we'd have waited.

And suddenly the shops decide

We all need a storage box

They stack them high on every shelf

It's all they have in stock

Plus washing up bowls, ironing boards

and vital kitchen utensils

It seems that after Christmas

These become the new essentials.

You've hardly finished Christmas lunch

But the ads ring out the news

Kitchen worktops, cupboards, sinks

All you must do is choose

A new settee might tempt you more

Or carpets for your home

They're all half price so buy them quick

Come claim them as your own.

No need to pay up right away

There's credit if required

But sign up quick or you might find

The offer has expired.

If you thought the Christmas crowds were bad

You aint seen nothing yet

They're pushing and a shoving

To see what they can get

The Christmas spirit all forgotten

The sales have begun

And if someone gets slightly squashed

It all adds to the fun.

So grab your vouchers, and exchanges

Go and join the queue

The shops will all be waiting

It's the least that you can do!

Karen Holmes

December 26^th 2010

More to Christmas

They're playing the Christmas tunes again
Bing Crosby dreams of snow
Slade sing of Merry Christmases
Band Aid ask "do they know?"
There's jingle bells and Rudolph
There's Mistletoe and Wine
There's sentiment and nonsense
Each year at Christmas time.


There are crackers filled with novelties
Paper hats that quickly tear
Santa in his grotto
With his trademark snowy hair
There are food temptations in the shops
Decorations old and new
And all those bargain offers
Big signs saying "3 for 2"


There's giggly girls and nervous boys
And mistletoey kisses
There's special cards for those you love
With soppy Christmas wishes
There's santa hats for mobile phones
Christmas ringtones to download
And lights shine out from windows
Of the houses in each road.


There's a long and tiring journey
For a young man and his wife
There's a baby ready to be born
A new and precious life
There's an inn too full and crowded
with not a room to spare
For Mary and for Joseph
A stable room so bare


There are shepherds on the hillsides
There are wisemen from afar
Hosts of angels bring glad tidings
And there shines a glorious star
There's a baby in a manger
Jesus is His name
And he has a special purpose
There's a reason why He came


There is hope for me - and hope for you
The message is quite clear
Jesus the precious son of God
the Holy One is here
A chance to turn back to the Father
Will you be reconciled?
will you take the love He's offering
And know yourself, His child?


Karen Holmes
17/11/2007


And before anyone corrects me that Mary and Joseph in fact were not married, I know that!  However in those days the engagement was as binding as a marriage and I am allowed a little "poetic licence"!!

The Truth of Christmas

When all of Christmas is packed away

Stacked in the attic in a cardboard box

The tree deprived of all it's glitz

The cupboard full of brand new socks

The tin of chocolates almost empty

Some unwanted toffees all that remain

And unwelcome inches now sit on the waistline

The January diet begins once again.

When all of Christmas is packed away

Will anything really have changed

Is it just an annual party

With presents, cards and games?

Will it make an impact on us?

Or are we too busy to see

Beyond the last minute shopping

The tinsel and the tree?

I want to take time this Christmas

To stand in a quiet place

Absorbing the truth of the season

Encountering face to face

The God who came in human form

God - yet in a stable born

Angels there proclaim His birth

God amongst us on this earth

God almighty, El Shaddai

Is it any wonder why

I desire to take time out

To learn what Christmas is about?

Emmanuel (God with us)

A baby in a stable?  
I don't think I am able
To fully grasp the full extent 
of what this little baby meant -
and means today, 
as we prepare for Christmas day.


The carol says he did not cry
Yet now God weeps for all mankind
And longs that they, this Christmas time
The true messiah, true hope would find.


They laid him in a manger,
For God there was no space
And I must look inside my heart
And see if there's a place -
Where God can dwell.
I know so well
Without Him there's no point, no reason
For this celebrated season.


God with us, Emmanuel
God with us, on earth to dwell
Mighty God, yet made so small
God requiring of us all
That we pause, take time to see
That this - the glitter and the tree
Is all about God's love for me.


But how and why would God love me?
A life so flawed, a life so tired
Perhaps God's love has now expired, 
Is Jesus just for Christmas?
Packed away with decorations
Forgotten until next year
When we repeat the celebrations.


Lets take to heart this Christmas truth
Of God to human hearts made real
And join the wise men and the shepherds
Gaze on Him and humbly kneel,
Bring Him gifts, our lives, our all
A little baby in a stall.


Just a child?  Just a story?
Or the promised King Of Glory?
Life can never be the same
Since this little baby came.


Karen Holmes
14 December 2005


I think the most important line in this poem comes at the end, Just a child?  Just a story?  Or the promised King of Glory?  What do you think?  The answer you give makes a lot of difference........

Have You Heard?

Have you listened to the rumours

Saying the King is on His way?

Yes, the Saviour who was promised

Will be born on Christmas day

Have you overheard the whispers?

Felt the drama they have caused?

Do you feel like time's suspended?

Daily life is somehow paused.

That's the wonder of His coming!

That's the great anticipation!

Does it make you shake and shiver

Or cry out in jubilation?

Do you fall down on your knees and

with a new resolve lay claim

To the baby who is Jesus

To the power of His name?

His arrival, long awaited

Was to some, their dream come true

As we light our Advent candle

What's it mean to me and you?

Do we yearn for faith rekindled

On His altar will we lay

Hearts and lives alight with passion

As we move t'wards Christmas day?

Karen Holmes

22 November 2010

Shimmery thing

I've got a bar of shimmery stuff

From my favourite shop, yes Lush

It's meant to be a Christmas gift

Though it doesn't matter much

I took it from it's bag today

And smoothed it o'er my skin

It really is quite glittery

Oh what a mess I'm in

That glitter is quite itchy

underneath a polo neck

My thermal vest is sparkley

Oh dear, oh flippin heck!

I tried to scrub it off so that

My hubby wouldn't know

I've been messing with my Christmas gift

And I'm hoping it won't show

But there's glitter in my hair I fear

I don't know why it's there

I know that I've been naughty

But guess what? I don't care!

Karen

15 December 2010

Are You Ready?

Are you ready?

Are you waiting?

Are your preparations done?

Present's wrapped?

The card's all written?

Now that Advent has begun.

Time for tinsel

Decorations

Brightly coloured paper chains.

Put the tree up

Test the lights first!

Christmas time is here again.

Is your cake made?

Bought the mince pies?

Box of crackers, chocolates too?

Toys a plenty

And spare batteries,

Better buy more than a few!

Are you ready?

Are you waiting

Is your heart beating so fast

Long awaited

Promised Saviour

Jesus Christ is here at last!

Let us welcome

God's great gift

As He reigns within our hearts

Only He

Our Lord eternal

Real Christmas joy imparts.

Karen Holmes

22 November 2010.

No choice in the matter

Have you ever had the experience where you've no wish to do a particular thing until you know you can't and then suddenly you really, really want to?! If so you will understand this poem.

It's cold out and it's raining

Though the snow's begun to thaw

So the shops are full to bursting

Car parks full at every store

Not long now until Christmas

So there's sales on everywhere

And it's 3 for 2 as usual

I suppose that's more than fair.

And on any other day like this

I'd be glad I had no need

To rush round like the manic crowd

At a frantic, panicked speed

I'd be smug and self contented

For my shopping's mostly done

But because I know I can't go

It takes away the fun.

Have you noticed that's the way it goes

When you haven't got a choice

Though you wouldn't go out anyway

You somehow can't rejoice

Yes I know it's very silly

but I wish I had good health

So that I could mingle with the crowds

And grumble for myself.

I know the trains are crowded

With not a seat to spare

And cafes overflowing

Vacant tables but no chairs

Though the city would be brightly lit

The market stalls would be so busy

With people getting in the way

Enough to make you dizzy.

But I wish that I was well enough

To decide I wouldn't go

To declare it would be foolishness

to everyone I know

To say how stupid people are

To leave it all so late

to sit at home in comfort

And gloat at others fate!

Karen Holmes

4 December 2010

World AIDS Day 2010

I remember in the 80's

When AIDS first hit the news

Adverts which really scared me

And many different views

They said “Don't die of Ignorance”

Yet many lives were lost

And many grieving relatives

Were left to count the cost.

And mud was thrown, harsh names were called

Old friendships cast aside

Hence weeping families hid the truth

Of how their loved ones died.

Today I'll light a candle

Today I'll say a prayer

“Dear God, please help those who are ill

and all the folk who care,

Dear Lord, please stop the prejudice

Let finger pointing end

Dear God please bring new hope and love

Your touch of healing send”

Will you join me in making sure

that nought but truth is spoken

And all who would complacent be

Are from their slumber woken?

You may feel that it wont affect

The ones you know, or knew

But everyone is vulnerable

Including me and you

And someone might just long to share

their hidden fears with you

But feel they must stay silent

cos of what you'll say or do.

Today on this “World AIDS day”

Let's pause and just reflect

On those who struggle daily

and show them our respect.

Karen Holmes

1 December 2010