Scarlet Robe Creations

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light Isaiah 9:2 The season of hiding is passed Come out of the darkness. Come to the place of bread. Watch by the stable. with the oxen and donkeys. People of darkness, people of hopelessness, walk toward the light, foretold by prophets in a world desperate for the son. The season of hiding is passed. Dance where there was only sadness. Laugh where there was only grief. Witness the child, the light of the world. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Edward Stott - There was no room at the inn (c. 1910) It is but a stable. There is hay, there is dirt, there are animals. The only music to calm a weary soul are the calls of a cow and a donkey and the bleating of sheep. Shepherds watch, guided by a song heard on high. They come in their tattered clothing to honor a king donned in rags. There in so fanfare. This king has come for those who are born in stables. This king has come for those who labor in fields tending their sheep. This king has come for any who feel undeserving of Him. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

 She has journeyed long and hard. She bears news of prophecies answered. She holds a vision in her heart, an angel, a visitation, a promise. God has not forgotten His people. Will she find faithfulness at the end of her day? Will her cousin embrace her without doubt? These thoughts are pondered as the two come together. It is not the young girl who speaks, but the child, in the older woman's womb, has leapt for joy copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Such fascination  with the story of a child. Why Bethlehem? Why a donkey? Why a stable and feeding troth. A child sees a manger and a carol comes to mind. She sees a shepherd and takes note of the sheep. To a child the animals are important, and the angels. She watches the kings, and wants to know their names and what gifts they bring. Even to an adult, Jesus is accessible in the hay. He has yet to teach words we don't want to hear. He has yet to embrace a repentant tax collector, or prostitute. He has yet to tell those near him that he will die. But for now, Advent is upon us. We can gaze like children at a manger scene and quietly hum, 'What Child is This'. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Adoration of the Shepherds by Philippe de Champaigne To us there is hope. The old is made new. One who has been longed for has come to this earth. He is weakness, when we were looking for strength. He is not a warrior or a great politician. In our hearts we cry out for vindication. He brings us grace to find peace in our trials. To us is born a tiny babe without wealth or status. He is the promise of voices past. The king our hearts have sought. copyright 2017 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author