Scarlet Robe Creations

Did we know it would be grace, or did we expect a sword? Did we understand blood would be shed in victory, not in defeat?   Prophets spoke and we interpret their words as traditions and dogmas.   But grace won the victory, as blind as we were, without raising a hand to defend His words.   Did we know it would be grace, which would rule a kingdom never the spoil of battle? Did we expect a war to be fought by love? copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Morning crests over the horizon. Carols of angels can be heard, if you listen with your heart. The past lingers with the present. A child cries in a feeding trough. You can hear him with the faith of a mustard seed. This is the morning we've anticipated. Darkness has given way to the light. The people who walk in shadows have no reason to hide. Born is the one foretold. Born is the one who will crush the serpent's head beneath His heel. 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

Adoration of the Christ Child - Gerard Honthorst A promised beacon willing to guide me home. Flesh coming into the world to absorb every stain of my sin.   The Word of the Father spoken through the sonnets of prophets. Songs of Kings and angels weaving the fabric of a covenant.   Come into our world, for we are no longer shepherds. We are bound to luxury and not the land. We do not see the signs of Your time.   Come as a child, when our hearts are coldest. My soul longs and my heart aches. Come as my savior pour out upon me Your cleansing blood. 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

  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

Star of Bethlehem - Elihu Vedder (1897) Stars, filling the night sky when direction is sought. But only one shows the way. Stars, each with a wonder to behold, each with promise. But only one promises life. The journey may be long. There are easier roads to travel. There are paths which will cushion your feet in comfort, and allow plenty of rest when tired. Stars, illuminating the heavens. Stars, beckoning the wanderer. Star, one star, a single star, calling to the wise, to those who seek faith, those who seek a king of meekness. copyright 2023 - 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

This is who we are, who we become, children once ourselves, with joy abundant. We are now adults, who think we understand truths and have cast out falsehoods and fantasy. We are parents, we are grandparents, who seek the presence of a tiny stable among the glitter of decorated trees, ornaments and toys. There is a special gift to this season, a gift of innocence. A child born of love, to love. A child who directs focus on humility. He does not ask you to stand beneath His cross, just yet. Today He asks you to kneel beside a manger with shepherds, sheep and donkeys, and be filled with joy. copyright 2019 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

One star, which few pay attention to, dominating a sky over fields of thirsty brown grass. They labor with care only for food and rest. Few have heard the promises. None have sought to seek. Maybe a curse is spoken. Maybe the illumination in the night sky is too bright. Was there singing? Voices in harmony, beautiful. A chorus of wings, christening the night with glory. Are words spoken to your heart or ears? Is there a burning to seek an answer to a question you haven’t asked? Glory to God. Tonight He has done a great thing. He has come down into the world of the humble and called to Himself the poor. copyright 2018 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author