God is the original spoken word artist

I’m just trying to recapitulate what that may mean in a modern way for some including myself to see

So a stanza of mine, set to rhyme, is followed by Isaiah 7:14 later repeated in Matthew 1:23

I’m a humble poet calling out to the awe inspiring Divine

Contemporary creativity that others may hear and further Believe

As you can IMAGINE I’m not the only One

I merely love the One who sat with the woman by the well.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

As the song asks in verse three

Come the Rod of Jesse to free

in this case me a poet with a mic

for we’re already free enough to see

Elijah A.K.A. J.T.B.

paved the way to save by JC

and JJZ to disperse verse you might like

The word Emmanuel with an “E” comes from the Greek yet you’re liable to find it in the Bible also spelled with an “I”

Taken from two Hebrew words 

“Immanu” with us to discuss 

and “El” meaning God on high. 

God is near us, with us, and within us coming to the ends of ourselves God is ever ready to begin us again

At the end of the slippery slope, our rope and our hope God is relentless to win us back to themselves. 

Regardless which wheel of fortune vowel you start Emmanuel with on the shelves.

A story to believe in a world of deception

A relationship to love forever anticipating

A faith to hold from the world’s inception

A place to belong in the patiently waiting

Building longer tables where the sparks appear more elusive

From the first bell until when the final trumpet has sounded

Pure love casts away fear in being Wildly inclusive 

While maintaining the discipline to be Firmly grounded

When we feel we are in lonely exile

when we feel scattered, battered, shattered and lost

You’ve already gone the extra mile

Showing us we matter enough 

to have paid the ultimate cost

For the peace that is beyond comprehension

which arrives with sweet knowing

that we may both hear and answer the call 

For the release we are fond of with intention survives when Collectively growing

Giving and receiving, living and breathing All means all

Across the silent night hope has spoken this

December reminds us to wait and regain care 

When it feels like we’re born into brokenness 

We remember it isn’t our fate to remain there

You gave a name to each star to guide us by night to find

until we see the darkness and the cold gone

By loving you with all our heart, all our soul and all our mind

You give weary bones the strength to hold on

Beloved God you are setting the stage for lighting the whole world

You light each candle flame flickering in the darkness refusing to be blown out

Hope for the broken since the first words were spoken your plan is unfurled 

With all our might calling you by name that we may be shown how

♾️♾️♾️♾️

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Inspired by Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 8:8-10, Matthew 1:23 and 22:37, 1 John 4:18, the Christmas Song “O Come, O Come Emmanuel, conversations with Pastors Connie Friend and Dr. Rebecca Brown and even John Lennon’s Imagine sprinkled in for some holiday spice.

Written for Christmas Eve service at the Rock Church Sparks on 12/24/24 by the current City of Reno Poet Laureate at the time. Thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ for the opportunity. To him be the Glory forever and ever, but I’ll gladly accept the joy. 

In Love,

Jesse James Ziegler