CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Christmas is coming once again
in the air a sense of cheer,
my thoughts drift back to younger days
to the joys of yesteryear.

To a home filled not with luxuries
but with love and life and caring,
a mom and dad who gave their all
with their children ever sharing.

As the holidays came closer
the wood stove glowed near red,
the odour of mom’s baking
of cookies, pies and bread...

Filled every nook and cranny
they were a wondrous sight,
there was love in every morsel
how we longed to take a bite.

We’d spend our days tobogganing
and skating on the frozen pond,
of making angels in the snow
we were all so very fond.

We’d arrive for supper cheeks aglow
from playing in the yard,
our coats and mittens frozen
with ice balls beaded hard.

Daddy laboured long and hard
in a job with little pay,
so quiet, not complaining
of what trial did come his way.

We gazed in wonder at the tree
revelling in its scent,
and dreamed of toys and goodies
our hearts all full, content.

We didn’t see the hours
mom spent sewing late at night,
to make our lovely presents
to our eyes, ‘twas out of sight.

Our gifts were what we needed
each child received the same,
stockings filled with nuts and treats
and delicious candy canes.

Christmas morn we went to Mass
there was magic in the air,
Jesus had come to nestle
in the manger lying there.

In the pews the people sat
love and joy upon their faces,
the miracle happened once again
peace in our hearts He places.

Aunts and uncles, cousins
came to share our Christmas meal,
three sittings not unusual
joyful noise made our heads reel.

Then as the joyous day wound down
reflecting the happiness we’d had,
we thanked God for the best gift
of a loving mom and dad.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Nov. 27, 1997

WELLS OF GRACE

From birth to death the journey long
to help us as we travel on,
are fountains pure, for our delight
keeping Him ever in our sight.

Our Baptism, the first oasis
starts the flow of life-long graces,
erasing the sin that we all share
making one and all His Kingdom's heir.

Penance is that special grace
Jesus’ gift, to clean, erase,
all darkness from His home, our soul
to keep us ever pure and whole.

The Eucharist, the deepest font
fills our hearts deep inner want,
souls give thanks, unending praise
to the Giver of our days.

At Confirmation’s well issues
the Spirit, and His gifts ensue,
seven needs to be fulfilled
to help us do the Father’s Will.

At Matrimony’s well with love
our unions blessed by God above,
to share our days both bleak and gay
rejoice in gifts He sends our way.

From Holy Orders spring the ones
who teach the flock as did the Son,
repeating all His holy deeds
tending to our spiritual needs.

Arriving at the door of death
as we draw near our final breath,
anointed, freed from all our sin
we enter and are born again.

These wells of grace from out His hand
help all His children understand,
the guideposts pointing out the way
to glory for all who love His way.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Nov. 13, 1997

THE INN

In Bethlehem the hour was late
the Father’s Will could no longer wait,
each door was tried, no room to stay
in fatigue, they went upon their way.

Today men’s hearts are just the same
rejecting still, the one who came,
bringing Light and Peace upon the earth
by His poor and humble, royal birth.

Hearts not unlike the stable of yore
dark and cold to the very core,
fearing still to open up and give
a place of rest for Him to live.

The time is now, He comes again
prepare today, a place for Him,
our hearts of all their darkness shorn
inviting Him in, to be reborn.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Nov. 12, 1997

THE INNER ROOM

There is a special place within
each of the Father’s beloved children,
He placed it with such loving care
because His son would indwell there.

And though this place was made for Him
we taint it with an earthly din,
His presence left outside the door
asked not to enter, more and more.

Seeking every worldly thrill
we see not the Father’s will,
the gnawing hunger, never filled
without the one whose blood was spilled.

His peace and joy for which we long
to keep within our soul His song,
will only come when we decide
the heart’s door must be opened wide.

So every morning as we wake
before the days first step we take,
open up the door from deep within
say “Welcome Jesus, enter in”.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Nov. 08, 1997

CROWNING GLORY

Morning rays of golden sun
kiss the earth in all its glory,
unfolds anew His faithfulness
His never ending story.

Words can only try to show
the awesome wonder of it all,
warm Summer days now give way
to the splendor that is Fall.

Orange, red and yellow
rusts and browns delight,
the eye of the beholder
inebriated by the sight.

Boughs bejewelled, sway gently
reach up to heaven’s sea,
dip fingers in blue waters
taste His promise, what will be.

As days grow colder, shorter
on their dizzying descent,
leaves become a crispy carpet
their lives so full, now spent.

In bursts of praise and glory
they give their all, their gowns,
to trust that in the Springtime
they’ll wear again their crowns.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Oct. 06, 1997

PRAYER TO MARY ON HER BIRTHDAY

We honour you sweet Mary
on this your special day,
and thank you for your guidance
to all your children every day.

You give to all your mother love
and to our hearts you plead,
“won’t you come to meet my Jesus,
He has everything you need”.

Don’t be afraid to ask Him
He knows the state you’re in,
when you say I’m sorry
He forgives, forgets your sin.

My mother’s heart will leap for joy
each time my call is heard,
another child returned to Jesus
to forever live His Word.

What a precious gift to give me
more precious than pure gold,
to return to me and Jesus
back safe within the fold.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Sept. 01, 1997

PRAYER TO MOTHER MARY

Mother Mary take me
like a child into your arms,
whisper words of comfort
and keep me from all harm.

My heart is sorely aching
pierced by hurts, I’m so afraid,
parts torn away and needing
your care, the hour’s late.

There seems no rhyme or reason
the loss of love abounds,
wrap your mantle round us
protect us till the trumpet sounds.

We are all your children
keep us ever near your Son,
and help us fight the good fight
till the battle has been won.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Aug. 22, 1997

PENNIES FOR HEAVEN

The Father gives His every child
a treasury of love,
filled with mercy and compassion
forgiveness, from above

All His Love, His Peace, and Joy
our gifts of Faith and Hope,
His Solace and His Comfort
that help us daily cope.

These gifts like precious pennies
from out the Father’s hand
not to be stored, or hoarded
but spent, it is His plan.

Each time we see a neighbour
needing life’s necessities,
or crying out for comfort
when grief brings him to his knees.

Feeling lost and all alone
words of hope we can extend,
a hug, to let him know he’s loved
just being there, will mend.

Jesus is a gentle beggar
holding out His wounded hands,
pleading for our precious pennies
to be spent for all of man.

For the more that we do spend them
the more that there will be,
we’ll store treasure up in heaven
out of love, Oh God for Thee.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
June 18, 1997

TURN AROUND

We walk along life’s stony road
often lonely and perplexed,
hearts filled with pain, anxieties
by our many problems vexed.

The more they press upon us
our actions tend to freeze,
becoming incapacitated
feeling not the Spirit’s breeze.

Our hearts so sorely craving
a gnawing-painful ache,
our vision of the Master
veiled by life’s tumultuous wake.

We need not dwell in darkness
for He is ever there,
just turn around and face Him
ask Him for His tender care.

He wants to share our burdens
walk with us, ease our pain,
our cross and His united
heaven’s glory to attain.

Don’t waste another moment
face the Master, turn around,
live through Him, with Him, in Him
receive His love profound.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Apr. 22, 1997

CRY FROM THE DESERT

Who will roll away the stone
from a heart entombed in sorrow,
who will make the sun to shine
on the breaking of the morrow.

Embedded deep and painful
are all life’s barbs and woes,
boards that block the Springtime
and doors stay firmly closed.

Who will lift the burdens
that weigh us down each day,
who will show us what to do
to live His Will, His Way.

For this season’s one of dryness
as we search for nectar sweet,
remove from us this bitterness
send the peace our poor hearts seek.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Apr. 01, 1997

WHERE IS TRUTH

Long ago when Jesus suffered
when His blood for us did flow,
Pilate asked Him, “What is truth”
but didn’t wait to know.

The truth he knew, deep in his heart
but couldn’t face what he saw there,
so it was buried deep, forgotten
with such little thought or care.

The ghastly deed was followed through
unto its gory, painful end,
Jesus died for each of us
our errors for to mend.

Many years have come and gone
now confusion often reigns,
the world blinded by its sinfulness
is wreathing in death’s pains.

Today, the truth, we also bury
and His love so little share,
the question is not “What is truth”
the question now is “Where”.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Mar. 09, 1997

MERCIFUL JESUS

Oh merciful Jesus
do cleave unto me,
Your mercy’s profound
vast and deep as the sea.

Out of the depths
of darkness and pain,
hear me my Saviour
may Your Light in me reign.

The paths often chosen
which took me from You,
led only to wretchedness
from all that was true.

I am sorry I hurt You
it was ne’er my intent,
I have wasted Your talents
deeply buried, not spent.

Forgive my rejection
of Your love and Your hand,
in Your ocean of Mercy
I’ll ever follow Your plan.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Mar. 03, 1997

ALL PRAISE TO JESUS

All praise to Jesus, God’s own Son
victorious on the Cross He hung,
He lived, He died, He rose again
removing all our sin and pain.

He followed but the Father’s will
showed us how our days to fruitfully fill,
to echo teachings, deeds and ways
fill with His Love our numbered days.

So painfully gained was our salvation
reject Him not oh all creation,
waste not His body and His blood
be lifted up, live in the flood.

In hope and joy we ever raise
our hearts and hands and sing out praise,
and follow Him with hearts aflame
praise oh praise His Holy Name.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Jan. 27, 1997

HOME

An eternity it seems to be
since You sent me from Your side,
to live out the given span of time
in the child You did provide.

In early days I still could hear
Your voice, and see Your face,
this child all innocence and trust
the world still a tiny place.

Then later as tastes did grow
for earthly baubles and desire,
no longer seeing quite so clear
because of sin and mire.

Oh Father, how it pains me
when will this yearning cease,
I reach up with arms all pleading
oh give this soul release.

In hope I cling to memories
of the home where You abide,
and long to be, at long last
once again close by Your side.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Jan. 25, 1997