Scarlet Robe Creations

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

Dream of Saint Joseph - Gerard Seghers "God with us." The words of an angel in a dream. The impact of truth. The burden cast onto your shoulders by the world's hypocrisy melts with the shadows of doubt. "Do not be afraid." A son will be brought forth, a promise of the prophets. A sapling that will grow into a mighty tree. The righteous branch that will save His people. Behold, and the words of Isaiah manifest themselves in the vision. The angel has come and spoken that the man might accept, what the world will not. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

The Adoration of the Shepherds - Bartolome Esteban Murillo Bethlehem Ephrathah, insignificant, you have a voice among the prophets, yet you were silent. When there was cause to embrace, you stood in the shadows, ignoring new birth, divine flesh. When the shepherds sang praises, you saw the filth on their flesh, considered them drunken, not worthy of your ears. Bethlehem Ephrathah, small among the clans, you have been witness to a prophecy you chose not to hear. Were there wise men among you who sought a king you waited for? Did they lead you to poverty rather than wealth. Do you slumber now, City of David? Do you know tomorrow's world will be changed by love, not war? Bethlehem Ephrathah, pathway of cultures to come, a child has touched your soul despite your complacency. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Stained Glass - 15th Century Germany A name, Holy, spoken by Mary, a young woman, the mother, the one chosen, pure in heart, when greeted. Hail, speaks the cousin as the child in her womb dances. Grace fills this moment, like few to pass. The mother of my savior has come. Proclamation of the soul, the promise of generations. Spirits exult in prophecies fulfilled, for God has come to save His people. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

The Annunciation - Bartolome Esteban Murillo There was a light, dancing where no light had been. A voice signing a sonnet known only to those with the purest hearts.   He calls and the one who listens is most blessed. She takes each word, holding it dear, question out of innocence, not doubt.   Child, chosen by the light of your heart. The spirit embraces you, and generation upon generation will look to your humility as they seek their own. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

View of Bethlehem at Night - Josef Langl Bethlehem waits. Gabriel speaks. Zechariah questions. Mary says, "I am the Lord's servant." A visitation. A child dances in the womb. Elizabeth speaks a blessing. Mary sings of humility. His name is John. Zechariah's response. The voice in the wilderness. Born of the barren. Bethlehem waits. The day of longing. The cousin of John. Savior of the poor. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

  Come Lord, as the infant you were in Bethlehem, as the teacher you were in Galilee. Speak to the veils before my heart, to the dirt on my soul.   Come Lord, as the friend at table, in Bethany or the Upper Room. Speak to my hatred and fears that I might understand Your love.   Come Lord, risen after long days of darkness. Step out from the tomb of my sin. Speak to me with the voice of my shepherd.   Come Lord, into a world sleeping, a world unprepared, a world unbelieving.   Come Lord, to the meek, to the impoverished, to the lonely.   Come Lord, into a feeding troth, with filthy rags and straw. Come into my heart, at times as cold and desolate as the manger and claim me as Yours. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19 (NASB)  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart - Alice Havers They have come  from out of the darkness, men of the fields, those who were watching  their cattle and sheep. They share a story, some saw angels, some saw lights. They all heard the song, a melody composed  at the throne of God. Mary knows and has no doubt, for an angel had come to her, God's herald, Gabriel. They have come  out from their monotonous stupor, men of simplicity, those who were bored of days and nights. The angels gave them joy, excitement never before felt. They have come looking to rejoice, celebrating the greatness of a song sung on high. And Mary ponders in her heart the rantings of unscholared men, singing praises for her newborn child. copyright 2016 - Donald P James Jr  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./autho...

Saint Joseph with the Infant Jesus by Guido Reni How am I to do this? You said, through your angel, that He would be God with us. But I am only a man, unable to grasp the thoughts You possess. This child in Mary's womb will look to me for guidance. Who am I to instruct Your son? I am a carpenter, not a scholar. My hands are skilled, not my mind. We will travel to the town of Micah's prophecy, to be counted among David's kin. Her time is near. The journey is long and I am frightened that I will be insufficient. How am I to do this? You have asked me to adopt a promise, the hope of all time to come, a covenant so far beyond my imagination. Be with us always on this journey through life and death. Give me the strength to honor the words spoken when He calls me father. copyright 2016 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author From the Collection;  An Advent Journey

I just wanted to share the lyric of a song I wrote back in the early 1990s. One morning, during the Christmas season I watched a couple squirrels scampering through the fresh coating of snow in our back yard. The poem was meant to be lighthearted, but ended up a bit deeper than intended. A friend of mine put music to the words and both my daughters fell in love with the piece. copyright 1992 - Donald P James Jr  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Bruno Piglhein - Star of Bethlehem There are stars we simply gaze upon, on cloudless nights. We see shapes and figures in the patterns of heavenly lights, give them names and call their groupings constellations. There are stars which travelers follow, lights in the sky leading the way from one land to another, or across vast seas and oceans. There was one star, rising in a specific place, over a tiny village, over a barn in a field. One star, a comet, maybe or a flight of fancy. One star, lighting the way through the strife of a fragile night. One star calling wise men and shepherds to the humble birth of greatness. copyright 2016 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author From the Collection;  An Advent Journey

  When his time of service was completed, he returned home.   After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.   “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” Luke 1:23-25 (NIV) You have taken my disgrace. That which was barren is now fertile as the land, because You have willed it so. For all my life I have prayed, at times wondering if You care to even hear my supplication, and at last You have answered my cry. This impatient world beckoning us to live our lives on its time, not Yours. Yet You give when least expected, when the prayer has become routine and the struggle the way of life. My disgrace is gone with but the cry of a child. One who will walk Your earth with a purpose. One who now moves gently within his mother's womb. copyright 2016 - Donald P James Jr  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P...