Scarlet Robe Creations

Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.  When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God sayin: Luke 2:27-28 “Simeon in the Temple” by Rembrandt Lord, now you may dismiss your servant, my life can end in peace, for with my aging eyes I have seen the child who is our salvation and I cradle Him gently in my arms.   This child Lord, is Your gift to the world, a light of brilliance shining forth to reveal Your way to the gentiles and bring glory to Your people and I cradle Him gently in my arms.   Behold, chosen daughter, many will reject this child and their sword will pierce through your soul. This will be their sin. He will be a sign from God, despised and spoken against, but to others He will be their deepest joy. copyright 2017 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author From the Col...

In the novel 'Afternoons With Mister D', there is a story, or chapter if you will,  titled 'Youth'.   Mister D tells Charlee about his wife Tess,  and how they spent Christmas at a children's hospital  with a little girl named Ronnie. This, like other blog entries titled 'Purity' and 'Foolish' are extensions of the original stories making up 'Afternoons With Mister D'. I hope you enjoy this very special Christmas story, and maybe consider following the link at the bottom of the page  and picking up a copy of 'Afternoons With Mister D' Thank you for reading... God Bless and Merry Christmas. Ronnie was glad to see her friend show up bright and early on Christmas morning.  The young woman, who seemed old to the nine year old Ronnie, brought a young man who, as the recent girl-to-girl confession had revealed, was a boyfriend.  Maybe he was even more than that, her friend had said.  Ronnie's friend was in love.  That was obvious.  Ronn...

It was a maintenance shop, like any other.  There was grease, dirt and tools.  There were men who worked with their hands.  Sometimes their words were coarse.  Usually they didn't care. It was the twenty-third day of the month.  The holiday was two days away.  One of the men was single and would spend the holiday at home with his parents.  Two would be with their spouses.  One would visit his brother and sister-in-law, and their two young children. Rob had brought two unfinished gifts, for his niece and nephew, into the shop.  The other three came and gathered around, cups of coffee in hand, to offer their opinions and suggestions.   "Gonna take some cleaning up," Rick said. "And I have paint," Rob added. "You plan to paint them in here?" Rick queried. "The paint smell will go right up the hallway.  Pete will have a fit." The verbal response to Rick's words was colorful.  All four decided they would deal with Pete's wrath ...

We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn. Matthew 11:17 In the Marketplace, a game of children. One does not dance, when the flute is played, mimicking a wedding feast. The other does not mourn when the singing is of death.   What did they expect? Did they come to see a prophet, or king? Did they expect glimmering robes? Whatever is received it is never enough.   One came by the river, without food or drink, and he is called a demon. The son comes sharing meals of tradition and hospitality, and he is called a friend of sinners.   I played a wedding song for you, on my flute and you chose not dance. I sang the somber hymns of a funeral march, and you chose not to cry.   To what are you compared, this generation and the next? You are neither happy when the grass is green, nor when it is brown. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/...

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

Readers of my novel 'Afternoons With Mister D' will find this story interesting. This is in response to a reader who said,  "I wondered if I was going to read more about Molly Boyd." Jimmy Klein and Molly Boyd are two characters who appear in the story 'X-Country' If you haven't read 'Afternoons With Mister D' and are looking for a really good Christian based novel, follow the link below and God Bless. "What are you thinking about?" Jimmy Klein stood at the window looking out over the snow covered fields.  They were standing in the dining hall of the seminary.  The holidays were all passed.  The snow piling up on the lawn was a product of January.  The best snow, as per Lucy in the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. "It's beautiful," Jimmy added "You think," the other said, sarcastically.  His name was Herbert Grainger.  His family had moved north from the deep south a couple years before he decided on answering God...

The Flight of the Prisoners (1896) by James Tissot I will bring you back. Words I hear in the night, when darkness is all I have, when I have closed my heart in defeat and wish for a better day. I will bring you back. I have not been torn from my home, as those who heard those words for the first time. It is not flesh, but the soul that longs. I will bring you back. A prophet who promises renewal to a world stained by hate. A speaker who knows of armies that plunder and destroy, pillage and rape, he speaks from his age to ours. I will bring you back. Words that overlay our sonnets. Words that say, I love you more than you can know. Words that shine a glimmer of light where for now, there is only darkness. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author