Scarlet Robe Creations

Another dream.  This one came with urgency, chasing sleep away without mercy.  It wasn't like the previous one.  The one he'd had in Nazareth while he was thinking of quietly seeking a divorce.  That dream answered an agonizing pain in his heart.  It came with the warmth of knowing his love for his betrothed was not in vain.  The spirit of God touched him.  He was entrusted to protect the child in Mary's womb, from a world spinning out of control. Urgency. He jumped up from his slumber.  She would wonder why.  The child might fuss. Just a few days ago, the magi had visited their tiny abode.  Star seekers.  Men of wisdom who spoke of a certain star, and its announcement of a king's birth.  They brought gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh.  They'd made mention of their plan to return to their land by a different route.  They too had received a dream in their slumber.  Herod was evil, but every Israelite knew that....

The Migration of Abraham and his Relatives to Canaan - Jozsef Molnar Too many heartaches, to much violence. Ishmael strikes Isaac on the soil of a foreign land. A celebration of lights brings out the evil of hatred. The sons who claim Abraham as father know nothing but hate. Wipe clean the earth of God's chosen. Where does that leave the despised? Those whose ancestor has been promised descendants. Children who crave each other's blood, one born from the womb of a slave, the other from a womb once barren. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Have you heard the angels sing glory, while shepherds watched their flocks, protecting the sheep from darkness? Have you listened to a donkey bray and an infant cry when you came near an old stable? Have you carried a lost sheep on your shoulders, going to a manger, seeking the child who came for the lost? Have you heard about the one who is coming, the one who will baptize with the spirit and fire? Have you watched the fishermen throw nets into a barren sea and haul in an abundant catch because He made it so? Have you listened to a blind man tell what he hoped to see once washing the mud and spit from his eyes? Have you seen the leper who came back, leaving the other nine, to offer thanks to the one who touched him? Have you sat in a field listening all day, as the poor were told they were blessed and the weak were offered inheritance? Have you witnessed the crowd going to Jairus' house, convinced the child was dead, and not sleeping? Have you heard about His entry through the gat...

The Dream of Saint Joseph - Raphael Mengs God is with us, Emmanuel, a prophecy of divinity. A virgin will be with child, unto us a son will be given. God is with us, dreamt by a son of David. The Holy Spirit has fulfilled the promise, spoken, after the fruit was eaten. God is with us, Emmanuel, a name above names. The serpent's head shall be crushed, sinners will be cleansed, when God is with us. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

The N ativity of Christ - Francesco Francia Come all, willing to travel, willing to step out from your comfort. Come, and walk beside those who will find, those who will stand at a cave's opening, and know a woman has given birth. Come shepherds, in from the fields, carrying your sheep on you shoulders. Come, following the guidance of an angel, the one who sang of glory, and spoke of peace to all. Come wise men, from eastern lands, bringing gifts for a king. Come, following a light in the dark sky, a star beckoning seekers, and announcing royal birth. Come all, those who have waited, and those who've just realized. Come, the child is sent for you, for all those who wish to step from darkness, and into the light of His love. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Nearly one hundred miles, over land unyielding, rocky roads, where one could easily stumble. One hundred miles in sandals, a donkey, a woman with child, nearing her time. How strong is faith when love is challenged, when trust is placed on a dream that God is with us? Nearly one hundred miles from Nazareth to the City of David. A journey ordained by prophets, ancient words on papyrus. One hundred miles with faith, a deep trust in a light, which has broken through darkness, and fulfilled a promise. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds - Govert Flinck Sing tonight, shepherds, as you watch a star dance, causing eyes to look up into the night sky. The promise is fulfilled in humble glory. Sinners rejoice. Forgiveness has come to those who seek. Sing tonight, angels, as you bend to earth, touching the strings of your harps of gold. In the glory of this night, born to the earth is peace, a child whose name will bring solace to those of faith. Come out from your slumber, from the fields of labor, the angels have sung out, announcing a gift to those ready to receive. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

Silent night, interrupted by the bleat of the sheep, the heavy breathing of a shepherd, the howl of a wolf in the distance. Holy night, ministered to by men unlearned, the scourge of those whose hypocrisy lifts them above the herd. Silent night, when darkness gives way to light, and those who have never unrolled a sacred scroll, listen. Holy night, illuminated by the word, blest by a promise fulfilled, announced to those who tend sheep. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

The Torah Scribe - Ephraim Moses Lilien He looked up into the night sky from his perch outside the temple.  He was a scribe.  One who studied.  One who knew.  The star to the south seemed to take a dominant place in the night sky.  Perhaps he'd seen this star before, but he thought not. "Jeremiah," he said to the young boy, who had followed him out to the wall, hoping to be of service to his master. "Here I am," Jeremiah replied, standing before the respected scribe. "Look to the south," the scribe pointed, a long thin finger, toward the star, just in case the boy was unsure of direction. "Do you see that star?" "I do." "Do you think there is some meaning tied to its appearance?" Jeremiah was unsure how to answer.  He knew little.  His master knew much. "I seldom look at the stars," Jeremiah offered in response. The scribe smiled.  He was a decent man, and he cared deeply for the young boy who served him. "O...

The Carol of the Bells is playing. Piano notes speak out softly. It seems as if the melody should be offered by a bell choir with a cluster of voices adding a seasonal lyric. But there is just piano. One piano, Two hands with talented fingers, nothing to accompany the musician but faith. The Carol of the Bells is playing. I close my eyes and try to hear every note. I need nothing more than the melody, the gentle combination of ivory and ebony keys, the flow of a pianist lost in his music. One piano, recorded on a disc of vinyl, for a single listener to embrace. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. Matthew 3:11 Saint John the Holy Glorious Prophet, Baptist, Forerunner - Menologion of Basile II There is a voice shouting out a song of repentance. Even vipers will gather in his shade. He sings to you of water, and the need of your spirit to turn back. He humbles himself, reminding some that there is one greater, still to walk this desert, in whose sandals he could never tread. There is a voice filling the wilderness with lyrics. The sheep come to have water poured over, the goats brood in their pompousness, turning farther from God. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

His winnowing fan in hand, he will clear the threshing floor Matthew 3:12 Wheat and the chaff, divided, those who know the infant and the son crucified are gathered to the divine. Those too proud for tears will be given to the flames. His winnowing fan divides what has bore fruit and what has not. Chaff is cast away, meant to stoke the flame, while blessed are those, who know the name of the thresher. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author https://www.goodreads.com

"Rachel, wait up!" She glanced over her shoulder as she cut down the narrow alley between two low slung buildings.  Caleb, a boy who did odd jobs for her father, was running after her, with the vibrant energy of an eight year old.  She had no interest in picking up her pace.  Her twelve year old arms carried a bundle of some importance.  The last thing she wanted to do, was drop it. "Where are you off to?" He said upon catching up. "I have a chore to perform, Caleb.  And may I ask if your mother knows that you are out in the street at this hour." "Your father asked me to run an errand.  The streets are very crowded." "Exactly," Rachel replied. "He's very busy.  The main streets are full of people.  You need to be careful, Caleb, you could be trampled. "Is that why you've slipped between buildings?  Are you trying to keep from being trampled?" Up ahead the alley opened.  There was a cluster of men, a few women, a h...

Holy Patriarchs - Menologion of Basil II It is often we manipulate to encourage God's hand. The Patriarchs did. Sometimes they bartered, creation to creator. Sometimes they twisted promises to achieve a desired outcome. God's time. Even we who have seen the Patriarchs stumble, and know God's promises are fulfilled, bargain for one more piece of manna, or the gift we are not ready to receive. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Chora Church - Istanbul - Ancestors of Christ A list of ancestors. Matthew's roadmap for the Jews, from Abraham to David, to the time of exile, from Babylon to the promised birth. Luke's guideline for Theophilus, showing the nature of He without sin, from birth back to Adam, that one might know. We read both lists, often without considering the roads taken to bring God's promise to a stable in Bethlehem. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author . https://www.goodreads.com