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Peace, Love, and God's Greatest Gift

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Author's Notes: This poem, "Peace, Love, and God's Greatest Gift" is a three-way co-write by Anne-Lise Andresen, Liam McDaid, and me. This most wonderful and uplifting Christmas poem was first posted on Poetry Soup on December 1 by my colleague Anne-Lise and last week by Liam. (They asked me to post on or about Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.) With this thought in mind, I wanted to take a moment to post it again to invite those who have not yet read this beautiful piece -- to do so!! All three of us thought that the "Tercet" format was the best form for us to use with this write, which allowed us to better triangulate our efforts and thoughts as we expanded our mutual thoughts from stanza to stanza. It was indeed a very great pleasure for me to work on this top quality endeavor with my two very highly-talented colleagues: Anne-Lise and Liam!! Merry Christmas from all three of us to all of you in the Poetry Soup community!! (Gary Bateman - December 24, 2015) (Unrhymed Tercet)

Categories: celebration, christmas, december, inspiration, jesus, religious, and tribute.

Peace, Love, and God’s Greatest Gift The mellifluous musical tones of the village bells Echoing chimes over the cold snowcapped mountains Both finding their way to people in the valley below Christmas songs—let your spirit sing freely and loudly Welcoming the Birth of Our Savior and Baby King Who so charms the Angels on High and God Himself On this night, The Star was so beautiful, clear, and shiny Crisp and so crystal-bright, centered above and beyond Reflecting now the Lord God’s most divine and holy light There is real magic in the night air as Heaven rejoices aloud The child and the infant’s divine soul breathe life now intently Fulfilling truly God’s very promise and His hope to Mankind Keep this Christmas spirit—share it with others near and far Grace filled with good tidings as we dance on wings of joy We all now celebrate in great happiness, love, and kindness Christmas is forever—and you must never ever close this door Faith always enters, carrying His guiding torch high and proud And encouraging Man every step of the way on his long journey Even in a simple cradle where the Baby Jesus so innocently lay Heaven doth bathe His cradle with the warmest rays of divine light Bespeaking the heavenly beauty, joy, and wonder of Our Savior Amazing peace makes a lovely gift, I wish for all of us to have As new life blossoms, wrapped in petals of an immaculate heart God’s holy blessing, love, and intention are clear for all to see That Holy Night the Angels entire sang mirthfully on Christmas Eve Praising Almighty Lord God in Heaven on the birth of His only son The Angels’ paeans echoed in their divine beauty across the Universe To bring peace now, glowing with your love, is His divine intention Rejoicing in God’s Greatest Gift to Mankind who was born in a manger Destined to become Our Most Holy and Divine Savior—Amen! Amen! Anne-Lise Andresen, Liam McDaid, and Gary Bateman A Collaborated Poem, Copyright © All Rights Reserved December 1, 2015 (Unrhymed Tercet)

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Vladislav Raven

Date: 4/21/2016 2:09:00 PM

Hi Gary, A big Congratulations for the three of you on this wonderful write. A most beautiful Christmas poem. I Love the words, i Love the flow. It amazes me how each can put in their words and yet the poem cam look like one piece. This is the way of collaboration. As Linda says, it is indeed a pleasure to read such a well conceived piece of poetry. This piece can sing out at any time. An excellent collaboration. This has to be a seven and ito my faves....Mike. Congrats Anne-Lise, Gary, Liam.

Gary Bateman
Date: 4/21/2016 2:14:00 PM

Thanks so much Mike!! I will let Liam and Anne-Lise know that you commented -- and said really nice things!! I know that all three of us will certainly take "Seven" and "The Fav"!! Hope all is going well with you. (I will be in touch!!) Cheers and Best, Gary

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 2/15/2016 6:51:00 PM

A pleasure to read. LINDA

Gary Bateman
Date: 2/16/2016 11:09:00 AM

Thanks Linda!! I'm really pleased you liked it. I really like too how this Tercet write on the celebration of Christ turned out. The timing was just right around Christmas Eve to post this one again. (I'll be in touch again when I'm fully back on-line in the Soup. Still off "prose writing" presently!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Rob Carmack

Date: 1/26/2016 7:45:00 PM

Our greatest gift and only hope. You three did well with this collaboration and I feel privileged to have found it.

Gary Bateman
Date: 1/27/2016 6:47:00 AM

Thank Rob for your read here and gracious comment. I know that Liam and Anne-Lise would be happy too!! All the best!! Cheers, Gary

Michael Tor

Date: 1/1/2016 6:21:00 PM

Wonderful write Gary, Anne-Lise, Liam, congratulations!

Gary Bateman
Date: 1/2/2016 11:12:00 AM

Thanks Michael!! I know that all three of us are very appreciative of your comment here. Happy New Year!! Gary

Arthur Vaso

Date: 12/30/2015 11:34:00 PM

How could I have missed this! This is so beautiful, what an amazing Collab here! Happy New Year to you all!

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/31/2015 9:27:00 AM

Thanks Arthur!! I know that Liam and Anne-Lise will be very pleased too by your wonderful comment here. The timing, thoughts, and combined efforts by all three of us on this theme turned out very well. I know that I can speak also on behalf of Anne-Lise and Liam when I give you our best greetings and Happy New Year for 2016. Best Always, Gary

Kp Nunez

Date: 12/30/2015 7:41:00 PM

Serenely beautiful, spiritually uplifting, Gary. Congratulations on another wonderful tri-collab with Anne and Liam. Here today just to read and greet. Wishing you the best this holiday season and a great year ahead. Warm regards to you and Ingrid!

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/30/2015 8:32:00 PM

Thanks Kim!! Happy New Year!! Glad to see you're back. Hope all is okay. Thanks here for your wonderful note and comments. I know that Anne-Lise and Liam will be most pleased too. (BTW, I will be standing down from Poetry Soup at least during January and probably February too because of a number of prose writes I'm presently working on for my second book. After this period, I expect to be back regularly posting poetry.) Best Wishes to you from Ingrid and me for the New Year!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 12/26/2015 4:54:00 PM

I like your message on the bottom Gary, turning a new page 2016... I'm going to be my sweet self again. Love LINDA

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/26/2015 7:51:00 PM

Hello Linda!! I'm glad what I said helped!! I'm very pleased to hear this!! This is the way to go for sure. It's a WIN-WIN!! Just continue being your real positive self and the brilliant poet and writer you are. (I mean this!!) Happy New Year -- and our love and best wishes too from Ingrid and me!! Gary

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 12/26/2015 7:29:00 AM

- Very happy .... congrats with p.o.t.d. Gary !!! - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/26/2015 7:38:00 PM

Thanks Anne-Lise . . . I believe our mutual poem here with Liam really helped to invigorate the "Spirit of Christmas" with its uplifting message of hope, love, joy, and blessing to everyone who choice to read it. This Christmas poem hit all of the right notes, I believe, in praising Jesus as "Our Most Holy and Divine Savior." Amen!! And continued best wishes always!! Gary

Jan Allison

Date: 12/26/2015 6:15:00 AM

a wonderful collaboration Gary. Liam and Anne Lise and congrats on POTD:-) hugs Jan xx

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/26/2015 7:10:00 AM

Thanks Jan!! I know that Anne-Lise, Liam, and me are always quite pleased to hear from you -- and thanks for the POTD congrats!! I know that Anne-Lise's first posting our poem here on 1 Dec was very positively received by the Soup community. I guess it was our mutual way of sharing our combined thoughts to everyone on what Christmas meant for all three of us and its greater affect on the world at large. Best Holiday Wishes to you and your family -- and Happy New Year!! Gary

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 12/25/2015 6:13:00 PM

a wonderful Collaboration Gary, I want to Wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year May all your days shine and dreams come true. :) Every day should be a day with family and friends. I appreciate everyone. Sorry to all those I have taken for granted. SHAME ON ME. I promise, 2016 will be a new me. Merry Christmas!!! May the true meaning of the holiday season fill your heart and home. Always & Forever ~LINDA~

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/26/2015 7:01:00 AM

Merry Christmas Linda -- and best wishes for the New Year!! I'm very pleased you liked our Christmas collaboration poem here from Anne-Lise, Liam, and me. Its many positive messages for hope, peace, and love say it all!! Ingrid and I wish you and your family all the best for 2016. And I hope too that 2016 gives you that opportunity to turn the page and to seek and fulfill the "new me" you want for your life. And you're certainly right, at the end of the day, the positive and daily interaction with friends and family is so very important. That's what grounds us, keeps us all human, and allows each and every one of us to embrace those around us and share in their mutual love and friendship!! Cheers and Best Wishes Always!! Happy New Year!! Gary

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 12/25/2015 6:15:00 AM

- Merry Christmas, Gary and Ingrid - Not time to "soup" yesterday, sorry :) - Thanks for beautiful Christmas poems 2015 ..... Hope it will be a new first class poem for Christmas 2016 :) - Christmas hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/25/2015 5:45:00 PM

Thanks Dear Anne-Lise!! We'll all certainly have more equally great poems coming in 2016. Best Wishes . . . and Merry Christmas!! Gary and Ingrid

Tim Smith

Date: 12/24/2015 1:35:00 PM

Merry Christmas to you and your family Gary...Great to read this one again. A 7

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/25/2015 5:51:00 PM

Thanks Tim My Friend!! Always a pleasure indeed to hear from you!! Glad you enjoyed your revisit of this wonderful poem. I know that Anne-Lise, Liam, and I were very pleased with how this one turned out -- especially for Christmas!! Merry Christmas also to you Tim and your family!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Liam Mcdaid

Date: 12/24/2015 12:55:00 PM

bless you gary also your beautiful wife with peace filled with loving happiness over christmas a pleasure writing this with you and anne lise sings in the highest quarters

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/25/2015 5:55:00 PM

Hello Liam Mate!! I think the Leprechaun Choir in Heaven-high is singing devout songs of love and good will about our co-write here. Blessed Wishes be with you and your family in Ireland for this Christmas season and for the New Year!! (I know I've been washing down some good "Irish" here over the holidays!!) Merry Christmas!! Gary

Dorian Petersen Potter

Date: 12/24/2015 10:05:00 AM

Hi Gary,Liam n' Anne- Lise!This is a most beautiful n' outstanding Christmas poem, that the three of you have painted here,my dearest friends.I truly enjoy it!Just dazzling!Very beautifully written Christmas piece!Just awesome!A most beautiful n sweet write about Christmas and our King and Savior Jesus Christ, after all He Is the reason for this season:))A masterpiece!I just love it!Great imagery!Excellent collaborations guys! Just fabulous!Your pens are truly mighty golden!A 7 + + + to each!A fav! And thank you so much guys, for writing n' sharing this very beautiful Christmas piece:))Wishing you a very lovely weekend!In His light! God bless you always!Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas to you n' your dear family and a Very Happy New Year too my dearest friends!:)Love n' hugs!xoxox D.^O^

Gary Bateman
Date: 12/25/2015 6:01:00 PM

Hello Dear One "D" -- Thanks for your multiple reads of our three-way co-write of this quite wonderful Christmas Poem!! And you're certainly right, the focus of this whole yearly holiday endeavor is Jesus Christ for sure!! I think Anne-Lise, Liam, and I captured in words a great celebratory write in honor of our Holy Savior!! May you have a blessed holiday season and new year too!! (Thanks for the "TR"/"FAV"!!) Best Always too from Ingrid and me!! Gary