An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas

I AM

This is the last poem/story from An Angel Remembers

Merry Christmas!!

I AM the One who is the Beginning

I AM the One spoken of from old.

I AM the One of promises told.

I AM the One angels foretold.

I AM the One of whom angels sang.

I AM the babe born in the Star light.

I AM the One wrapped in swaddling clothes.

I AM the One laid in the hay as cattle lowed.

I AM the One the shepherds sought.

I AM the One of whom towns people talked.

I AM the One the Magic came to see.

I AM the One worshiped on bended knee.

I AM the One who knew what history would unfold.

I AM the One that did what my Father told.

I AM the One that loved you before the beginning.

I AM the One who will love you to the end.

I AM the One that paid sins price.

I AM the One who choose that night.

I AM the One that wants you to choose Me.

I AM the One your friend would be.

I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIGHT!

I AM JESUS, I AM

Me and My Father . . .

I Am

Copyright Carolyn Hoagland 2011

from "An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas"

My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!

This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.

You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94784

For your Nook the link is:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-angel-remembers-25-voices-of-christmas-carolyn-hoagland/1106912931?ean=2940032802624

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.

The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.

You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com

An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas - Mary's Mother

MARY’S MOTHER

Today I'm sharing another of the stories from my book, "An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas". Enjoy Mary's Mother sharing her view of what happened to her daughter.

                     When Mary came and told me she was pregnant I was upset. How could this be? She is such a dutiful daughter and Joseph seemed to be an honorable caring man. How could they do this to our families? They were going to be married soon and should have waited! Then Mary told me that Joseph was not the father!
                     Mary told me a tale about an angel of the Lord coming and telling her she was going to have a son! That this was going to be a very special child that would grow up to be a great man and He would do wondrous things! He was going to save our people. Could she truly think she was going to be the mother of the Messiah?! This is hard to believe!
                     I did not know how to handle her being pregnant let alone her ridiculous tale! I sent her off to see her cousin Elizabeth. I had heard some strange rumors about her being pregnant, but I don’t believe all the tall tales I hear! She could not be pregnant because she is way beyond the age to have children and her husband, Zachariah is also very old. They have never had children before so it could not be true. Any way Zachariah will get Mary’s story all figured out. He is a priest so he will get to the truth!
                     Mary spent three months with Elizabeth. When she came home she told me that Elizabeth and Zachariah had a son! They have named him John. Mary told me that Zachariah could not talk when she got there because an angel of the Lord, the same one that had come to her, had told him he would not be able to talk until John was born. Zachariah believed Mary’s story and instructed that I do all I could to help her until the baby was born! I was relieved to hear that Zachariah believed Mary! I was glad she had him to stand for her and protect her from the law. I had wanted to believe Mary but with so much at stake it was hard to. I know I would have helped Mary no matter what.
                     Mary got married to Joseph soon after she got back from Elizabeth’s. Joseph’s business was doing well and Mary was over the morning sickness. She was getting so big and round! You could see the baby kick. The baby seemed to be doing well. Before the baby was born a decree came from Caesar. Everyone had to go to the town of their fathers to register. That meant Mary had to go to Bethlehem with Joseph. I had to go to the place of my husband’s ancestors and would not be able to be with her when she had the baby! I may never get to see my grandchild. Joseph, kind man that he is, got Mary a donkey to ride on so the trip would not be so hard on her. The last I saw of Mary, Joseph and my future grandchild was them walking out of the city gate heading for Bethlehem. I know that Joseph will take good care of Mary and the baby but I still wish I could be there for Mary and the baby.
                     Mary sent word with a friend that was coming to my town. She had a boy just like the angel said! They have named him Jesus! Because all the inns were full they are staying in a stable for a time. Joseph is doing work for some local shopkeeper who sells some of the things he makes. They have made friends in Bethlehem and plan on staying there. They are looking for a house to live in.
                     The friend also said that strange and wonderful things are happening to Joseph, Mary and little Jesus! A star has been over the stable where they live since the night Jesus was born! Shepherds came in from the fields to find the baby Jesus and worship Him the day He was born! They had a wild story about angels telling them about a baby in a manger!
                     I wish I could be there to see all that is going on with my grandson! I want to be there for Mary and Joseph also. I love them all so much. May it be God’s will I see them someday soon!


©Copyrighted Material By Carolyn Hoagland 1995

My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!

This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.

You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94784

For your Nook the link is:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-angel-remembers-25-voices-of-christmas-carolyn-hoagland/1106912931?ean=2940032802624

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.

The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.

You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com

An Angel Remembers - Nahem's Lullaby

NAHEM’S LULLABY

I am sharing one of my Christmas stories from my book, "An Angel Remembers 25 voices of Christmas" with you. If you enjoy the story information on how to purchase my book is at the end of this post.

I was always told that I was “too little” to do anything important. I was too little to take messages to important people. My voice is too soft to be heard in the chorus. I’m not strong enough to fight like Michael. But I still got the best job of all!!

I kept begging to help out when Jesus came to the earth. I really wanted to take the messages Mary or Joseph, but they said no one would believe me. I asked to be in the chorus that sang to the shepherds. I was told my voice would not be heard. I hoped that I would be asked to help with the star that heralded Jesus’ birth. I was told my wings are too tiny and would not keep me up long enough. I was beginning to feel that I would not be able to help at all! Everyone else got to help but me. Everyone kept telling me to go sit on a cloud out of the way.

Then Gabriel heard me singing to myself. He said he had a very special job for me! He needed an angel with a very special kind of voice. A voice suited to singing to a small child, and able to calm a child down when upset. Would I sing for Jesus when He cried!? He asked if I would sing for Jesus!! It would be my pleasure and joy to sing for Jesus!! Would you like to hear one of the lullabies I sang for Him??

Hush - a – hush a – hush – a bye. Hush now Jesus don’t you cry.

Your Father watches from on High. Hush – a – hush – a - hush – a – bye.

Hush – a – hush – a – hush – a – bye. You need rest now. Close your eyes.

You’ll save the world your love is why. Hush- a – hush – a – hush – a – bye.

When Jesus laughed, it was as if all the sorrow of the world melted like snow on the first bright day of Spring. He knew the greatest joy was in doing His Father’s will. When He cried it was as if the deepest, darkest part of the Pit had been opened. All I could do to comfort Him was to sing a lullaby. Even as a little baby He knew His Father’s will for His life. He knew what was going to happen to Him. He knew that He would go through many horrible things before He could go back to His Father in Heaven. This was His sorrow and His Joy. He knew He was giving live and love to all mankind. I liked making Him happy when He cried.

It was my joy to sing for Him. It was not work. You know you can never be too small or too weak to do things for the Lord. All you need is a big heart and willingness to serve!

©Copyrighted Material By Carolyn Hoagland 1995 Revised July 2010

  

My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!

This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.

You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94784

For your Nook the link is:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-angel-remembers-25-voices-of-christmas-carolyn-hoagland/1106912931?ean=2940032802624

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.

The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.

You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com

An Angel Remembers 25 Voices - Magi's Camel Driver

An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas

I thought I'd share another story from my book. It is available as an ebook and is available at many fine ebook stores online. At this time it is only available as an ebook. I'm looking for ways to get it hard copy published in the next year IF there are enough interest in it.

Here is the story of The Magi's Camel Driver.

THE MAGI’S CAMEL DRIVER

I am use to going out at night with my master. He goes out almost every night to look at the stars. About two years ago he and his friends were out watching the stars and they got all excited. I overheard them talking. They kept saying things about a strange new star appearing. Every night they watched that star. During the days they would spend all their time talking about what it meant.

My master came to me one day and said I needed to pack for a long trip. He did not know how long we would be gone or how far we would be traveling! It might be years before we get home! My master thought that the star meant that the promised King of the Jews had been born. He said we would follow the Star to the King. He game me coin to get some new camels, packs and food for both man and beast. We would leave with his friends as soon as all was ready.

I thought he was crazy! Going off without even knowing where we are going or how long we will be gone? Following a STAR of all things! Hoping to find a child king? How could this be anything but crazy! All said and done thought he is my master and I must go. So off I went and I got all the supplies we needed for the trip. We left a few days later. I did not understand the importance of the trip. We traveled only at night so we could follow the star. During the day we rested the best we could. Sometimes we stayed at an inn and you could hear people talking and kids playing. Sleep was a rare thing on this trip.

We went to see Hared, the king of Judea. His people told my master and his friends that it was written that the King of the Jews would be born in Bethlehem. From what I’ve heard from Hared’s stable hands he is not a person to be trusted. We did not have any other ideas so we had to trust him. We did not have any other ideas so we had to trust him. Off we went to Bethlehem. There we found the star over a small house.

What a house, if it could even be called that. So small and poor looking! It looked like any other house in the area. This could not be the city or home of a king. There was a workshop out back. It was clean and inviting. The people who lived there were so unusual. The man, Joseph, is a carpenter. You could see this by looking into his shop. The wife, Mary was so nice and pretty too. She did her best to make us feel at home. somehow once you meet the people you feel like the best palace you had ever seen would not compare to this little humble home. I think it really had to do with the child.

He was about two years old. He was cute and lively. You could see in a glance that He kept his mother busy. Beyond the normal two year old mischievousness was a maturity and genteelness that I had never seen in a little child. He sat very solemn and still when the magi gave their gifts to Him. It was as if He knew what was going on and understood what they were saying.

He got out of the house while His parents were talking to the magi. Before I could stop Him He ran right up to the biggest camel we had in our train! Camels are not known for being nice but his old guy is just plain mean. Ol grump, as we called him, did the strangest thing I’d ever seen. He got down on his knees and bowed to Jesus! Jesus reached out and stroked his graying muzzle so genteelly. Ol Grump then laid down so Jesus could climb all over him! Jesus walked over to me and laid His little hand on me. In His gentle little touch I found a strength and calmness. He looked into my eyes and I felt that He could see into my very soul. But I was not afraid. I would like to stay wand watch this little one grow up. It would be interesting to see what happens to Him I am glad I got to come with my master to see Jesus and I look forward to getting home to tell my family and friends there about Him.

©Copyrighted Material By Carolyn Hoagland 1995 Revised July 2010


Here is where  you can find my book online:

My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!

This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.

You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94784

For your Nook the link is:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-angel-remembers-25-voices-of-christmas-carolyn-hoagland/1106912931?ean=2940032802624

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.

The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.

You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com

An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas

An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas

Feeling like your family is going in every direction but not together at this close family time? Check out my Christmas book. 1 story a day for December. Not to late to start reading it!

My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!

This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.

You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94784

For your Nook the link is:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-angel-remembers-25-voices-of-christmas-carolyn-hoagland/1106912931?ean=2940032802624

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.

The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.

You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com

Here is one of the stories from my book for you to check out.

ISAAC, THE SHOPKEEPERS SON

My name is Isaac. I’m five years old, my papa owns one of the shops on Market Street. We live aboves the shop. Papa got a man to make new tables and things for his shop. Joseph – dats da guy – had a new baby. My mama took me to visit dem. My mama told me I had to be very quiet as we visited ‘em. She said they had a new baby and the new mama must be all tired. All babies need lots of sleep too.

When I walked into da stable where they were staying there was lots of people. There was da shepherds with all those sheep, Joshua, da innkeeper, and all his family and a whole lot of other strange people!

The strange people were mostly very big. Bigger than my daddy!! One of them was very small, lots smaller than me even! I’ve never seen people like them before. They all had the prettiest wings I’d ever see, even da little one! The little one was sitting on the manger softly singing to the baby. The little one called me over to look at the baby! The baby was so beautiful! He smiled at me when I tickled His chin!

I tried to show mama all the people in the stable, but she could not see ‘em. She kept telling me to be quiet and to stop being silly and making up stories.

As the boy got bigger we played together! He was real fun! He could talk to the animals and they would do what He said. Even our big nasty cat liked Him. It scratched everyone but Him! He always had a lot of those strange people around Him. I like Nahem, the littlest of His friends the best. Nahem sang the prettiest songs and told the funniest stories! Nahem would even play games with us. I miss playing with Jesus and His friends.

My mama still says that I need to stop telling make believe stories about seeing those strange people. She does not believe I have seen them around Him. But I know I saw ‘em! Nahem told me who “HE” is. Do you want to know who He is?

©Copyrighted Material By Carolyn Hoagland 1995