A GOSPEL MINISTRY
FROM NORTHERN IRELAND

One starry night; one blinding light
One message given long ago
One angel voicing; one host rejoicing
One revelation that shepherds were first to know

In the night air cold; good tidings told
Ringing from the realms of Heaven
What wondrous story; from eternal glory
A gift to sinners freely given

One stable stall; one baby small
One mother watching as He lay
One manger bed; one little head
One redeemer for sinners sleeping on the hay

But though just born; the sun of morn
Arose each day at His will
And the moon of night; give her light
For it was the Son of God lying quiet and still

One so young; one life begun
One hope He give to mankind
One cross for Him; one death so grim
One way to Calvary always on His mind

He became the least; in the home of beast
His throne exchanged for bed of straw
Jesus His name; and when the shepherds came
It was the King of kings who they saw

One I Am; one sacrificial Lamb
One mediator between God and man
One to know; one way to go
One door to Heaven in salvation’s plan

From God in Heaven; this gift was given
He offers to you His precious Son
Wrapping paper on the floor; gifts galore
Yet you have nothing if you have not this One

Colin Moffett

Christmas tree in the corner
Branches green outspread
Dressed with beads and tinsel
And baubles gold and red
Bright lights dance around you
Head to toe you’re lit
A range of decorations
Cover you every bit

An angel set on high
Or crowned with golden star
At your feet the gifts
Arranged around you are
Eager hands will reach
To tear paper away
To see what has been given
On Merry Christmas Day

Did you ever consider?
When decorating your tree
Of one with Christ attired
Put there for you and me
Gold should’ve been His crown
But thorns were wore instead
From His wounded body
Flowed baubles of blood bright red

When you gaily arranged the lights
That shine so bright to eye
Did you think at all of Jesus?
Who came for you to die
The Light of the world
Shining brighter than golden star
That glows on tree above you
And lights the place you are

Gifts below the branches
Wrapped and tied with bow
But the greatest Gift of all
Was given years ago
How eagerly you received
The ones that you were given
But did you accept the One
That God sent down from Heaven

The tree; think of the cross
And of Jesus that it bore
The lights; think of Him
Who shines forever more
The gifts; think of the One
That was given at Bethlehem
The tree; the Light; the Gift
Let Christmas speak of them

Colin Moffett.

Moon dances light on the roofs
Streets echoing to my hooves
A weary Joseph leads me along
Pushing through the mingling throng

Mary sits lightly on my back
Her gentle hands caress my neck
Taut sore muscles soothed by them
As I carry her through Bethlehem

My ears are pricked to rising din
Paused now at door of crowded Inn
To take them in the keeper unable
The only offer a lonely stable

To me better than a palace fair
Within it walls my home is there
Water to drink and manger of hay
And a place to rest from weary day

A comfortable place I found to lie
Aroused from sleep to infant cry
And in the cradle of manger bed
A baby boy lay down his head

From my lips a soft breathed bray
As I gazed at child upon the hay
To crib side in awe I slowly came
Hearing Mary whisper low His name

Jesus; she murmured in tender love
A gift to the world from God above
Of mothers all; I am more blessed than them
This holy night in Bethlehem

Before I could hear what she said more
Swarthy shepherds entered stable door
Bowed in worship to tender one
Christ the King and Gods dear Son

His throne room the stable stall
One so great yet weak and small
Mighty God who became the least
Was carried by me a lowly beast

Another donkey He would sit its back
His gentle hands caress its neck
Perhaps my offspring; who’s to know
Took Him to Jerusalem where He would go

Through palm waving jubilant crowd
Who greeted Him with hosannas loud
Only days later to change their cry
To one of hateful baying crucify

Never carried I more precious load
When on my back Mary rode
For as they searched for sheltered room
I carried Jesus also in her womb

Just a lowly donkey small
No one knows my name at all
But I was the one to carry them
That night to stable in Bethlehem

Colin Moffett

On Christmas day we gladly lift
And open the presents waiting there
But not so eager to take Gods’ gift
To receive it from Him we do not care

It came not tied in ribbon bow
No fancy paper wrapped it there
No Christmas tree sheltered it below
It lay in a stable cold and bare

Wrapped in cloth in manger bed
A gift so precious in cattle stall
And in its straw where beasts were fed
A boy child lay weak and small

No more precious gift was ever given
It cost its sender everything
God sent His Son down from Heaven
So He could salvation bring

He wrapped this gift with His own love
And told His angels shining bright
Go tell the shepherds that I above
Have sent you my dear Son tonight

Hark; the herald angels sang
Go ye men be filled with joy
And while the heavens with praises rang
The shepherds went to see Mary’s boy

Oh glorious night when shepherds knelt
Beside the babe lying in bed of straw
And their hearts quickly melt
When the Son of God they saw

He no longer is a little boy
This babe the shepherds went to see
But now in Him eternal joy
For He died and rose for you and me

On Christmas day there is mirth
When in celebration your voices lift
Remember this was Jesus’ birth
And He is offered to you as Gods’ most precious gift

Colin Moffett

 What is this o’ silent night
Your stillness broken with hosanna cry
A host of angels shining bright
Making darkness flee from your blackened sky

Here shepherds sitting beneath your cloak
Of darkness; now are bathed in light
What wondrous news is being spoke
A Saviour is born to you tonight

What message is this brought to ear?
To shepherds listening in fear and awe
When the angel said; be of good cheer
You will find the babe lying on bed of straw

Who is He in manger bed?
This babe in Bethlehem to Mary born
A pillow of straw for His lovely head
Which one-day would wear a crown of thorn

His gentle hands to a cross one day
Would be nailed to its wood for you and me
Gaze upon this babe lying on the hay
And the Son of God you will see

Jesus the Saviour born in a stable
No room for Him found in crowded inn
Has died; is risen and willing and able
To redeem precious souls and free from sin

Come with thanks giving; let us rejoice
The Saviour was born on Christmas day
Let our hearts unite and to praise give voice
For Jesus the light the truth and the way

Who is He born in Bethlehem?
Once sleeping so quietly in stable stall
Now for me sin will not condemn
For He is Jesus my Saviour and my all in all

Colin Moffett

It was my birthday
But did you remember me
As you opened your gifts
From below the Christmas tree

I waited for mine
But there came very few
I gave you my life
But what did I get from you

I asked for your love
But did you give me a thought
The gift of your heart
For it I have sought

It was my birthday
But did you set me a place
At your dinner table
Or mention me in grace

Eating and drinking
You took from my store
Then you left me standing
Outside your closed door

On your first birthday
I give you living breath
And every day since
I have blessed you with my wealth

You take all my gifts
And none in return will you give
Caring not I died for you
So eternally you could live

But I was not even a guest
At your celebrations yesterday
And I do not understand why
After all; it was MY BIRTHDAY!

Colin Moffett

Our Saviour was born

Into a slumbering world

His star shone in the heavens

A sign of God’s love unfurled

This sleeping babe

In lowly manger lay

The world did not yet know

He had come to show the way

Angels appeared to shepherds

As in the fields they watched their sheep

Glad tidings was their greetings

Telling where our Saviour did sleep

The shepherds left their flocks

They went to see their Shepherd born

For the Lamb of God, His own dear Son

Was born that Christmas morn

Jesus, Son of God, Emmanuel

Saviour, Lamb of God, might counselor

King of kings and Lord of lords

He is all these and many more

So come to see this new born babe

God’s precious gift to us

And in return give Him your heart

The Saviour of us all, Jesus

Jeannine Faith

American Poet

Beautiful, beautiful star
I'll put high atop my tree
And tell
All my friends and family
What this old star
Means to me

How I walked into the room
On a cold winters night
How the star
Was shining so bright
How the whole tree
Was bathed
In golden firelight

I'll tell them how
The star seemed to know
And how each point
Shined a light
On the branches below

How hanging on every limb
Were ornaments
Of Jesus in the manger
And how I realized
I had been such a stranger

There on my knees
I remembered
Why God put the star
That could be seen
Both near and far

Not to be worshiped
But to guide the way
To where
Our dear Savior lay

Yes I will tell my
My family and friends
How Jesus can save you
How He can heal every scar
And how He reminded me
Through the old Christmas star !

written by judy wilson
august --- 2007

American Poet

WE WILL CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

WHEN WE KNOW IT IS THE TIME

NO MATTER HOW WE DO IT

JESUS CAME AND WAS THE SIGN

THE FATHER UP IN HEAVEN 

 GAVE HIS SON TO ALL MANKIND

TO BE BORN IN A MANGER LOW

HE GAVE A  STAR TO BRIGHTLY SHINE

SOME FEEL THE HOLY NIGHT

AS WE FOLLOW THAT SAME STAR

NOT ALL BELIEVE THIS LITTLE BABE

WAS OUR SAVIOR BORN AFAR

SO LET’S ALL SING  PRAISE’S

NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE

TO TELL THE STORY OF OUR KING

WHO LAY UNDER THAT SHINING STAR

YES JESUS  IS OUR LORD AND KING

AS THIS HOLY NIGHT  SHOWS ME

 LET EVERYONE YOU LOVE TONIGHT

GATHER ROUND YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE

JOYCE CLOSE 12/1/08

AN AMERICAN POET

Sitting in the quiet early morning hours

Watching shows about Christmas and Santa’s powers

So much commercialism surrounds us

Where in it all do we find Jesus?

Over two thousand years ago our Saviour was born

What was it like that first Christmas morn

I can imagine Mary looking tenderly on her child

Born in a manger, lowly and mild

I can see the love in her eyes

Watching Him sleep in the place that He lies

I can see her tenderly caress His cheek

Knowing it is her Lord lying there so meek

Did she wonder what His life would bring

Knowing sorrow and sadness, yet be able to sing?

Did a tear slip from her eye

Knowing someday He was destined to die?

Did she know He would die on a cross

Did she know a feeling of loss?

Or did she feel the love of God anew

Trusting in Him to see her through

That first Christmas morning

So bright with hope in its dawning

After more than two thousand years

Still echos with those hopes and fears

All these things I can only just suppose

But one thing I do know, I hear the echos

Of “Gloria in excelsis Deo” being sung

As the bells on Christmas morn are rung

Jeannine Faith

an american poet

Christmas day will soon be here

What a very special time of year

People are more giving

Life seems worth the living

They give gifts one to another

To parents, children, sister or brother

But do they remember to give

To the One who brought new life to live

God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus

To be born in a lowly manger for us

A tiny little baby so weak and small

Who one day would die for us all

A shining star proclaimed His birth

It shone for all it was worth

Leading wisemen and shepherds to Him

While hosts of angels raised their hymn

Jesus, our loving Saviour came

To live and serve and bear our blame

He bore the sins of the world on the tree

Shedding His precious blood for you and me

Jesus is the true reason

For this our Christmas season

He gave His life, He gave His all

So you and I could escape sin’s enthrall

So during this wonderous time of year

Remember He brings true life and cheer

And in the midst of gift giving

Give back to Him who makes life worth living

Jeannine Faith

an american poet

C  IS FOR THE CHRIST CHILD = WHO WAS BORN TO US A SIGN

H  IS FOR THE HEAVENS =WHERE THE STAR SO BRIGHTLY SHINED

R  FOR OUR REDEMER= HE HAD PLANNED FOR US TO LIVE

I  IS FOR IMPORTANT=SO OUR HEARTS TO HIM WE’D GIVE

S  IS FOR SALVATION =HE GAVE FREELY TO EACH MAN

T  IS FOR =TEMPTATION=WHERE THE DEVIL TAKES HIS STAND

M  IS FOR THE MANGER= HE LAY HOLY WITHOUT SIN

A IS FOR THE ANGLES= WHO THIS NIGHT WATCHED OVER HIM

S  IS FOR OUR SHEPERD= AS HIS LAMBS WE ALL BECAME

LETS SING TO OUR DEAR SAVIOR AND PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME

LET YOUR VOICE RING OUT AND BE GLAD YOU CAME TO SING

 ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS BABY IS OUR KING….

BY JOYCE CLOSE

American Poet 

I THINK OF ALL THE CHRISTMAS TIMES

I HAD WITH MOM AND DAD

THAT TIME IS VERY LONG AGO

 MY HEART FEELS  GLAD AND SAD

I THINK OF MOM AND DAD WITH US

ALL FAMILY AND OUR FRIENDS

WE'D HAVE OUR CHURCH CHRISTMAS

THEN HOME WE'D GO AGAIN

THE GIFTS WE HAD WERE NOT ALLOT

BUT LOVE WAS THERE WE KNEW

I THINK OF HOW WE WOULD WISH FOR THINGS

BUT THAT WOULD NEVER DO

IF ONE MORE TIME I COULD GO HOME

AND SEE THAT CHRISTMAS TREE

WITH FAMILY AND WITH FRIENDS WE HAD

WOULD BE WONDERFUL FOR ME

THAT IS ALL BEHIND ME NOW

I'LL NOT SEE THAT CHRISTMAS TREE

BUT WHEN I GET AT HEAVENS GATE

THEIR MOM AND DAD WILL BE

WE WILL THEN SING PRAISE'S TO OUR LORD

WE WILL BE HAPPY AS CAN BE

WITH ANGELS WATCHING ON THIS NIGHT

WITH FAMILY ,FRIENDS AND ME

BY JOYCE CLOSE

12 14 08

American Poet 

Because of that first Christmas when God sent His Son

We now have a Saviour willing to forgive everyone. 

Sadly many refuse Him saying, “I’m all right, I’m fine,

I’ll work out my problems in my own given time.

Like King Herod of old many won’t let Him rule,

Thinking, “If I admit I need a Saviour friends will think I’m a fool. 

So many like the inn- keeper: say, “For Christ there’s no room,”

Sadly many end their lives in fear, misery and gloom.

Take note, it is the wise men that history recalls;

They came to worship the Saviour at Bethlehem’s stall. 

They brought Jesus gifts, gifts fit for a King,

The shepherds too worshiped the One they had seen.

The wise men were wise because they searched for this King

They knew He was superior to any they had seen.

The shepherds in awe left their sheep that day,

There souls were more important than sheep that could stray.

They believed the angles when they said,  “A Saviour is born,”

They searched until they found Him that first Christmas morn.

Unlike the wise men and shepherds we need not travel far

We can find Him in church, living room, bedroom or car.

Since His death and resurrection He is never far away,

He asks us to come and worship, love and accept Him today.

Olive Borland

In quiet Cushendall near the deep ocean swell

Where seagulls wing above the Glens Hotel

To dine within its walls, count your blessings you might

As a team of that name did one winter’s night

While the mist swept the waves of the dark still sea

Drifting through the streets as silent as could be

Inside the hotel were laughter, gaiety and fun

The Christmas party of Count Your Blessing had finally begun

There was Martin himself and Clifford his “twin”

Joan who could eat the steak for she had her teeth in

Mary and Liz  with yer man Sam and Colin I can tell

Any peas in his soup would have made him unwell

They brought along wives, husbands, grannies whatever

To lower plates of champ they surely did endeavour

Steak, chips, vegetables and desserts, the list is too long

They kept Clifford eating so he would not burst into song

Now the giving of gifts was the fun of the night

To buy what the other needed was just about right

Just simple little things lovingly bought

But what each received had been given with thought.

Each gift when opened brought laughter and joy

Whether a silly outfit, jigsaw, pens or a toy

But to each who received came a smile to the face

And happiness in the Glens Hotel was found in that place

Now God had one gift and it cost Him is all

Not given in crowded Inn but in lowly stable stall

For every needy sinner He had given them much thought

When He placed His dear Son in that manger for a cot

A Son that would die cruelly for all of mankind

In Him alone peace and joy forever they would find

Who would turn tears of sorrow to laughter instead

Was the Gift from the Giver in that stable bed

Gifts are meaningless when given no thought

Think of the receiver before they are bought

God knows all of us and the one thing He will do

Is offer the Perfect Gift to me and to you

The gaiety of that night has faded like the mist

Yet the memories of it all in hearts will persist

Now what remains for us all it would seem

Is to wish you Happy Christmas from the Count Your Blessings Team

Colin Moffett.....member of Count Your Blessings team Radio North