New Year's Resolutions. Happy New Year to my readers and listeners. Diaries and calendars are on sale now that the new year has burst out of the starting blocks and will soon gain speed. New Year's Resolutions are made this month. By the end of January, some people will have already broken their well-meaning intentions, a few won't even bother setting any goals for the year, and some will be slow out of the starting blocks and need another month or two before they get started. Others will have set their goals for the year and are competing in the race against time. I wrote this poem reflecting on how we humans run the race against time.

A Scribble in TimeTick-tock, tick-tock, time waits for no man

The relentless rhythm of the hands

As they walk their way around the clock

Day in, day out, they never tire of their work.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, humans, can only hope to find

A way to organise their mind

To sync what they do at work and leisure,

To fit in with the times, hourly chimes.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, I scribble my goals on a piece of paper

I sit curled up on my comfy lounge

A calendar and diary with art on the cover

With a pen and white-out stick ready in hand.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, determined to achieve my goals this year

I think as I scribble my plan onto the paper

I'll do this today, I'll do that tomorrow

I'll go here in September, and I'll go there in December.

Tick-tock, tick-tock. When I'm finished, I lean back and sit tall in my chair

With a smirk on my face, I say, "I've won the race

With the hands of time, I've silenced its chimes

My plan is sealed in whiteout and ink."

Tick-tock, tick-tock, at Christmas time, I know I will find

My diary, full of whiteout and scribbles in time

Confessions of frustration and of cause celebration

In my race to chase time to the finish line.

Beverley Joy © 2022 of Simply Story Poetry. All Rights Reserved.

Read or listen to my poems on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠and at ⁠⁠⁠⁠simplystorypoetry.com⁠⁠⁠I really appreciate you listening to my poem. Beverley Joy

The True Value of Free Gifts: Quality Time and Talents. As we enter this year's busy time of shopping for the perfect gifts for our friends and family, remember that, as well as giving physical gifts this Christmas, there are many gifts we can give that are free yet priceless. Time is one of those free but valuable gifts we can provide.

Ah, yes, but the saying says 'Money is time.' But is money the only way we can receive 'payment' for how we spend our time? Do we always have to receive 'payment' for our time?

Listen to other poems about giving titled "A Hug is Priceless" and "A Gift to Our Family."

This Featured Image shows the person sharing time. We can waste time with people, or we can give the gift of quality time, which requires skill. Quality time is only one of many skills and talents that we can share with others.

Poem: The Best Gift to Give is You

Give away that which you have plenty of

To others who are devoid of

To those in desperate need of

For you are the best gift you can offer.

If you have good health and strength

Love, joy, peace, and patience,

If you delight to encourage

Share these qualities with others.

Share your talent and experience

Don't hide them deep within

Learn the skills you need to know

To share your gifts with the world.

If you write, if you paint, if you sing

Then share a story through your gift

If you love to serve and help others

Then serve with a gracious attitude.

An unwritten book, a painting half-finished,

A song unsung and a cake unbaked,

Serving hands tied behind your back

Are of no value to anyone, nor even yourself.

To share our gifts will take time and effort,

Courage, focus and discipline

God gives us talents we must develop

And share with those waiting to receive.

Beverley Joy © 2021 of Simply Story Poetry. All Rights Rese

My poetry verses are available to purchase as print-on-demand gift ideas in my shop at beverleyjoy.redbubble.com.

Read or listen to my poems at ⁠⁠Simply Story Poetry⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Pinterest, ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠and at ⁠⁠simplystorypoetry.com⁠⁠.

May you enjoy this Christmas time with someone that you love and receive love in return. Beverley Joy.

Spending Christmas far away from family and friends. Many families and friends are separated at this special time of the year. We have to enjoy Christmas Day the best way we can when our family cannot get together.

I chose this Featured Image partly because of what is written on her coffee mug - 'Make today awesome.' To me, this image conveys the poem's message: her longing to be elsewhere and not alone, yet also her acceptance of the situation she is in and her resolve to enjoy the day as best she can.

Poem: Far Away for Christmas

It was Christmas away from home

Hot and humid as we drove to church

For the Christmas Day morning service

To celebrate the story of Christmas.

My daughter lived with me, so I wasn't alone

Once we got home, we prepped for lunch

We played carols to build the Christmas spirit

And opened the few gifts that were under the tree.

We called family members who lived far away

And chatted with them throughout the day

It felt strange, not being all together in one place

Our family split over a long distance.

We embraced our quiet solitude

Reflecting on our busy year

Moving away from our home city

Finding work and studying.

We spent Christmas Day in our new place

Work commitments over the following days

Kept us from flying or driving away

So, we enjoyed a simple Christmas lunch.

We ate leftovers with some family and friends

In the cool of the late afternoon

And reminisced over the past Christmas days

Hoping next year, we can travel to be with our family again.

Beverley Joy © 2019 of Simply Story Poetry. All Rights Reserved.

My poetry verses are available on print-on-demand gift ideas in my shop at beverleyjoy.redbubble.com.

Read or listen to my poems at ⁠⁠Simply Story Poetry⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Pinterest, ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠and at ⁠⁠simplystorypoetry.com⁠⁠.

Thank you for listening to my poem. Why not listen to my other poems about gift-giving titled:

It's wonderful to enjoy Christmas Day all together in one place. But even the best plans can be turned upside down; Christmas Day can present challenges in getting the family together or getting along with everyone who has been invited. We want the day to run smoothly on this special day of the year. Sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn't—that's family life - full of pleasant surprises and challenges. Christmas Day can be messy for some families, whether due to work commitments, divorce, the loss of a loved one, or a lack of money to buy gifts.

Poem: Together for Christmas

Another Christmas comes and goes

Our family spread from Coast to Coast

We'll share Christmas lunch in Australian style

Cold drinks, salad, and desserts in the summertime.

My brother and wife, I don't see them much

As they live a ten-hour drive away

But we'll eat and chat when we catch up

This Christmas Day together in one place.

Mum's ill health and operations

Dad’s knees are weak and keep failing him

They're growing old and we must accept

This Christmas may be the last one we share with them.

Our children are healthy and busy

They live independently, spread throughout the city

But, on Christmas Day, we'll relax and enjoy their company

And remember when we had such youthful energy.

The grandkids run about and play

With Christmas presents, they have received

Their childish chatter smiles, and cries

Keep the adults attentive to their needs.

Christmas Day can be perfect or messy

Satisfying or disappointing, memorable, or forgettable

Either way, tradition draws families together

To share the day, each family in their unique way.

Beverley Joy © 2018 of Simply Story Poetry. All Rights Reserved.

Listen to my other poem about Family Christmas: Far Away For Christmas, and my poems about gift-giving: A Hug is Priceless, The Best Gift to Give is You, and A Mirror Reflects What You Can Give.

Read or listen to my poems at ⁠Simply Story Poetry⁠ on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Pinterest, ⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠and at ⁠simplystorypoetry.com⁠.Thank you for listening to my poem. I wish you a wonderful holiday season. Beverley Joy.

The Story of Jesus Christ began in the Garden of Eden and will end in God's new garden. This Feature Image is the same one I used in The Christmas Story in the Garden of Eden Part 1. My interpretation of this image is that God's hands hold the garden. The smoke and fire rising from the garden depict the destruction of paradise by Adam and Eve's disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden. But there is a glimpse of a city on the other side of the fire, depicting God's promised new city and garden. The waterfall represents the river of life that will run through God's new garden. A lion depicts Jesus (Revelation 5:5), and the eagle with its wings spread wide, soaring over the garden, reminds me of one of my favourite verses in the Bible. (My poem titled Eagle Wings, based on Isaiah 40:31a): "But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles."

Christians wait eagerly for God's new heaven and the new earth…He will dwell among His people. He will wipe away every tear…no more death, mourning, crying or pain… Those things will pass away. He will make all things new… Revelation 21.

Poem: Back to the Garden

Through Adam and Eve's genealogy

A baby was born in history

Who grew to become the Saviour of the world

To rescue mankind from sin and toil.

Jesus showed us a glimpse of heaven on earth

When He lived with us, He lived out God's love

He healed the sick, and He fed the poor

To the down and outcast, He showed mercy and grace.

The first Adam failed in the first garden

He lived one thousand years before he died

The second Adam was Jesus Christ

Willingly died to save mankind.

From sin and death, He rescued us

And put an end to the Adamic curse

Now we eagerly await His return

When King Jesus will rule in God's new garden.

A new world with a Holy garden city

Will be God's dwelling place with His people

God will wipe away every tear and all pain

Death shall be no more; all will be made new.

Until His return, Jesus commanded the church

To share the Good News and continue His work

To care for the sick and dying of this world

To show mercy and love to the down and outcast.

As Christians, we wait eagerly for Jesus' return

We encourage each other with His words

"I will return, Live in peace and do not fear"

Oh, I can't wait to walk in the garden with Him.

Beverley Joy © 2022 Simply Story Poetry. All Rights Reserved.

The poems in this series: The Christmas in the Garden of Eden - Part 1, Four Unusual Women - Part 2, 700BC - Part 3, Mary - Part 4, 23rd Nov, Mary and Elizabeth - Part 5, Joseph Part 6, The Savious is born - Part 7, Gifts fit for a king - Part 8, Quick, Save the Saviour - Part 9, Back to the Garden - Part 10.

Read or listen to my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and at simplystorypoetry.com and follow me on Instagram

Thank you for listening to this poem. May God's blessing be with you.

Beverley Joy

Joseph, Mary and Jesus escape to Egypt. This poem is about the events that followed the Wise Men's (Magi) visit to Joseph, Mary, and the child King, Jesus. You can read the story in Matthew 2:13-23. The ruler of that region, King Herod, who was known to murder anyone he believed was a threat to his reign, was furious that the Magi did not report back to him the whereabouts of Jesus. So, he orders all infants 2 years of age and younger to be killed in the vicinity of the city of Bethlehem. This story gives us a glimpse into Jesus' very early life.

The lyrics of the song "Mary, Did You Know" by Clay Aiken tell the story of the many loving and gracious miracles and wonders that Jesus would perform during his 3 years of ministry on this earth.

Poem: Quick, Save the SaviourAn angel of God spoke to Joseph in a dream

“Get up! Take the Child and His mother, quick!”

“Go to Egypt and live there until it’s safe

For the angry king will search to kill the Child.”

So, Joseph obeyed God’s angel

With Mary and Jesus, he fled the town

They travelled a six-day journey

And lived in Egypt in safety.

This fulfilled a prophecy of God

Told seven hundred years before

Recorded in the Old Testament

“Out of Egypt, I called My Son.”

When the angry king died, an angel of God

Spoke again to Joseph in a dream

“Go back east now, to your hometown.”

For it is safe to live there now.

Joseph was afraid for Mary and the child

When they approached their hometown,

For the son of the angry king now reigned

And he was more evil than his father.

God told Joseph in a dream

“Go to another town to live”

So, they went to the small town of Nazareth

Where he and Mary had been engaged.

This fulfilled another prophecy

Told back seven hundred years

Recorded in the Old Testament

“He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Jesus the child king was raised

Quietly, in their small hometown

Without a crown, castle, or royal robes

With no royal parade or entourage.

He would grow up with his siblings,

Obedient to God, Mary, and Joseph

Learning his earthly father's trade

Learning his heavenly father's way.

He supported his family with his trade

After his father passed away

His royal hands splintered from carpentry

While serving his family by earning a living.

To be continued...

Beverley Joy © 2019 of Simply Story Poetry. All Rights Reserved.

The poems in this series: The Christmas in the Garden of Eden - Part 1, Four Unusual Women - Part 2, 700BC - Part 3, Mary - Part 4, 23rd Nov, Mary and Elizabeth - Part 5, Joseph Part 6, The Savious is born - Part 7, Gifts fit for a king - Part 8, Quick, Save the Saviour - Part 9, Back to the Garden - Part 10.Read or listen to my poems at ⁠Simply Story Poetry⁠ on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Pinterest, ⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠and at ⁠simplystorypoetry.com⁠.May you and your family have a blessed time this Christmas. Beverley Joy.

I wrote this poem while recalling memories of times spent with my brother and his wife and family, who live 800 km north of my hometown of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. They come down to visit family and friends a few times a year. Every year, I wish I had the money and time to go up and see them. Finally, in 2019, I went up to live in their town for a year.

Back in 2011, I went on a travelling/working holiday with my then-husband, driving across the top of Australia to Broome, Western Australia, 6000km away from my hometown. I missed my daughters and family so much, physically and emotionally; they felt so far away. I couldn't just jump in the car and drive down the road to visit them. It was a five-hour flight from Perth to Brisbane across the width of Australia to see them.

After travelling for three years around Australia and Tasmania in our motorhome, I wanted to and needed to settle back to live within a two-hour drive of my daughters, my ageing dad and my family. Even though I don't live in their pockets, I find it comforting to know they are only a short drive or plane flight away. I couldn't imagine permanently residing in a different country from them, yet many people have to do just that.

My interpretation of the featured image, which I chose for this poem, is that the eyes gaze into the distance, slightly tired, patiently waiting, looking forward to the arrival, hoping the journey will be a safe one. The scenery is desolate and lonely, seeming to go on forever. Time is ticking away, stopping for no one, not the traveller nor the loved one at the other end of the journey. Life ticks away as we wait to travel. The clouds shield the sun's heat, showing mercy to the traveller. Will the clouds shower the traveller with refreshing light rain to cool the journey, or with a thunderstorm that hinders and delays the arrival? Either way, tears of joy will flow at the journey's end?

Read or listen to my poems on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠and at ⁠⁠⁠⁠simplystorypoetry.com⁠⁠⁠Thank you for listening. I really appreciate it. Beverley Joy

Wise men visit the child Jesus. It is uncertain exactly when the Wise Men, or Magi, visited Jesus. Still, it certainly wasn't at the same time as when the shepherds visited him, at his birth in the animal stable, as is commonly represented in Christmas scenes and on Christmas Cards. Apparently, it was sometime between a few months and two years after his birth. The Magi followed a star that miraculously guided them to Jesus, the child King. They first presented themselves to King Herod of Judea in Jerusalem to inform him of their purpose for visiting his kingdom: to see and worship the King of the Jews.

Herod did not know about this 'king of the Jews', and he felt threatened by this news. King Herod called a meeting with the scholars of law and Jewish religious leaders to learn what they knew about this event. They informed the King that the event fulfilled a Jewish prophecy told over 800 years earlier.

When the Magi arrived at the house where Joseph, Mary and Jesus the child now lived, they gave gifts commonly given to honour a king, to Jesus - Gold for family wealth and as a symbol of kingship on earth, Frankincense as a precious expensive perfume and a symbol of deity and Myrrh an oil used for anointing and balming, and a symbol of death.

Poem: Gifts fit for a king

Some time passed before the wise men arrived

Having travelled with their entourage

From an eastern kingdom to the king’s city

Asking “Where is the child born to be King?

“For we followed a star from the east afar

To come and worship the future king.”

When the King heard this news, he was troubled,

And so were all the town’s people.

The king gathered all the religious leaders

To ask them where this ‘king' might be?

They said the prophecy in the Old Testament

Said he would be born in Bethlehem.

The King lied to the wise men “Go, search for him

And when you find Him, report back to me,

So that I too may worship this child king.”

The same star led the men from the king’s city

To the house where Jesus, Mary and Joseph lived

They bowed and worshipped the child king

Gave Him gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense.

Warned by God in a dream, to not tell the reigning King

Where the child king lived,

So, they returned to their own country

Travelling a different way east.

We continue to worship King Jesus

We bring Him gifts of obedience and service

We wait in eager anticipation

For His return and reign of our king and Saviour.

To be continued...

Beverley Joy © 2019 of Simply Story Poetry. All Rights Reserved.

The poems in this series: The Christmas in the Garden of Eden - Part 1, Four Unusual Women - Part 2, 700BC - Part 3, Mary - Part 4, 23rd Nov, Mary and Elizabeth - Part 5, Joseph Part 6, The Savious is born - Part 7, Gifts fit for a king - Part 8, Quick, Save the Saviour - Part 9, Back to the Garden - Part 10.

Read the story behind each poem - what inspired me to write it, why I chose the feature image, and references to what I read and studied to write the poem's content.

Read or listen to my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube, and at simplystorypoetry.com and follow me on Instagram.

Thank you for listening. Beverley Joy.