udith’s Poetry

Poems for Easter

Pentecost

I greet the morning with a prayer
Of thanks for this past night,
For rest and sleep and dreams—
Visions of Spirit light.

I greet the morning with a prayer
Of thanks for this new day,
For health and peace and quietude, Gifts of Spirit light.

I greet the morning with a prayer
Of thanks for this past night,
And praise the Father and the Son
And Holy Spirit of light.

© Judith Lawrence

Ascension

God has gone up with a shout,
The Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises;
Sing praises to our King, sing praises. (Psalm 47: 5)

Christ rose from death
To walk the earth again;
His disciples watched in amazement.
They began to understand
The meaning of Christ's life,
And death, and resurrection.

Christ taught them much
In the resurrection days;
He prepared them for his
Ascension into heaven.
He told them of the Paraclete
Who would come to give them comfort.

"I will not leave you
Comfortless," Christ said.
"I will send the Holy Spirit;
He will baptize with fire;
He will teach you all things
And give you strength to follow me."

Then Christ ascended with a shout,
The Lord with the sound of the trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises;
Sing praises to our King, sing praises.

© Judith Lawrence, May 2010

Garden

In the desert place
I prepared myself
To meet you Lord.
Now, I wait for you
In the garden.

Where barren sand
Made soul tears flow,
Blossoms now appear;
In resurrection joy
The desert blooms.

From garden’s glory
I gather flowers;
Gather in the bounty,
Which Jesus gives to me.

The Lord is risen;
He calls my name.
I kneel before him.

He strengthens me and
I rise up to walk with him;
He calls me friend.
© Judith Lawrence, April 2010

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Christ is risen from the dead.
His tomb is empty—
An angel sits where laid Christ’s head.
Christ is walking in the garden
He will speak your name.
If you seek him, he will be with you;
He will reveal himself to you.
Talk to him and he will answer;
Follow him and he will lead you,
In the way that you should go.
Hallelujah! Christ is risen,
Christ is risen from the dead.
© Judith Lawrence, March 2009

When fear of Holy Saturday o’ertakes me;
When I cannot feel Christ’s presence near me;
He reassures me with a gentle remedy.
A special kindness from a loved one,
A word of consolation from a friend.
When I’m parched and weary
From walking in a desert land,
A cup of water will refresh me
From a blessed helping hand.
Christ reaches out to touch me,
He reminds me that I’m not alone,
Christ speaks to me and tells me,
“I am risen, I am with you
In every tired step you take;
I am risen, I am with you,
Put your hand in mine, I beg you,
I’ll not forsake you in the good times;
And in the bad times I’ll be your strength.”
© Judith Lawrence, March 2009

Precious Jesus, I adore Thee,
Bending low upon my knees.
In the garden, I will seek Thee,
Seek your precious memory.
Died and buried, laid to rest,
In the tomb, I do attest,
Now I come with spices royal
To perform the burial rites.
You seek Jesus? He is risen,
He is not here, the angel says.
O’erwhelmed with sadness,
Tears o’erflow; I turn away,
My head bows low.
The Gardener speaks;
He calls my name. I see Jesus;
I adore him,
Worship him upon my knees.
Lord, I love Thee,
Lord, I praise Thee,
I glorify my risen Lord;
Glorify his wondrous name.
© Judith Lawrence, March 2009

Easter

Alleluia! Christ is risen;
Alleluia! We are blessed;
Alleluia! Follow closely in procession;
Alleluia! Sing with zest.
Join your voices in a chorus;
Join your voices, now sing out.
Long we chanted mournful sorrows;
Now sing we out our grateful joys.
Alleluia! Christ is risen;
Christ is risen from the dead.
© Judith Lawrence, March 2008

Emmanuel

The Lord, our God,
Is in our midst.
Emmanuel; God is with us.
Hold hands around the Godhead,
Hold hands, each with each,
Hold hands and make a circle,
God is in our midst.
Each one, hold hands with neighbour,
Each one, accept the breath of God,
Each one, touch the other,
Pass the flame of love.
The Lord, our God, in our midst,
Renews us in His love;
Renews each one in love.
© Judith Lawrence

Earth bound yet air free, flowers awaken and lift their heads to feel the soft sweet breath of life. Soft petals pastel the palette with delicate touch. Spring comes; birds sing its name.
© Judith Lawrence, 2008