Notes About The Poem

Premiere Contest WinnerIt Came Upon a Prophecy

May be sung to the tune of  It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

It came upon a prophecy
   in ancient days foretold
that to the earth would come a child
   fulfilling words of old.
For all the earth to be redeemed 
   this gift of God's great love:
a Savior, which is Christ the Lord
   came down from heaven above.

As Joseph came from David's line
   to Bethlehem went he,
and with him Mary, great with child,
   in heeding Caesar's decree.
And so the Lord was born that night
   in lowly cattle stall:
in him was life, and his bright star
   would be the light of all.

The prophet Micah's words fulfilled
   of which the faithful sing:
"O, Bethlehem, though small are you
   from you shall come a king."
The angels joined to sing Noel
   announcing God's own Son;
with shepherds, Magi bowing to
   the long awaited one.

In ancient days this prophecy
   Isaiah did foretell,
The virgin shall conceive a son,
    His name: Immanuel.
"To us a child is born this day,
    to us a son is giv'n" -
He reigns on David's throne on earth,
    and God's right hand in heav'n.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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12
Stasukevich Avatar
November 29, 2023 at 7:04 AM
Hi John. Congrats on having this one selected as this first poem in the Faith section of the Anthology. Well deserved. I love this song! I prefer to sing it than read it. A brilliant work that glorifies our Savior. Well done brother!
Stasukevich Avatar
November 29, 2023 at 7:49 PM
I'll be back in SD Dec 9-11 and plan to be at New Life Sunday. Hope to see you there.
Watt Avatar
November 29, 2023 at 7:36 PM
Wow brother John, very kind of you to say! We sang this at New Life last Sunday evening... wish you could have been there. Hope you are doing well in your new home. Miss you ~ John
Bell Avatar
December 22, 2022 at 12:26 PM
So Beautiful! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! luv~
Watt Avatar
November 29, 2023 at 7:36 PM
Thank you very much, Joyce.
Tor Avatar
July 19, 2022 at 3:06 PM
Another favorite John two in one day from you. Love this one. Blessings my friend...
Watt Avatar
July 19, 2022 at 4:23 PM
Thank you for your kind visits and assessment. God bless you, my friend ~ John
Kelii Kekaula Avatar
February 4, 2022 at 12:55 PM
I just read this gem, John, priceless words etched from its inception, and it appears you'll be honoring my collection of your masterpieces as another Fave, which adds to its unique line my friend, Aloha!
Watt Avatar
February 4, 2022 at 2:51 PM
Thank you, brother. It is an honor to be included in your faves, and I so appreciate your generous words.
Spilchuk Avatar
January 28, 2022 at 9:11 AM
A beautifully written Christian poem referencing biblical prophecy celebrating the birth of Immanuel (Jesus Christ).
Watt Avatar
February 4, 2022 at 2:50 PM
Thank you Dennis, for visiting my page and for leaving this and the other kind comments ~ John
Mccullough Avatar
January 6, 2022 at 7:08 AM
Truth in poetry! Wonderful!
Watt Avatar
February 4, 2022 at 2:49 PM
Thank you, Kira, such a lovely affirmation to receive ~ John
Johnson Avatar
January 2, 2022 at 11:56 PM
Congrats on this great work. Blessings.
Watt Avatar
February 4, 2022 at 2:48 PM
Thank you for your visit and kind words, Curtis.
Legros Kelley Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 7:28 PM
Wow, this is amazingly beautiful. It is in my FAVs!
Watt Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 8:04 PM
A heartfelt thank you, Betty Jo. I'm so glad you enjoyed this, and I am so grateful for the fave. Happy New Year ~ John
Goldsmith Avatar
December 30, 2021 at 6:50 AM
WOW!!! Congratulations on your win. What a beautiful Lyric/write. Your pen was working overtime. What a pretty picture to go with your write. Have a Blessed day and New Year 2022.....................
Watt Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 8:05 PM
Hi Paula, Happy New Year to you and thank you for the wonderful comment ~ John
Lane Avatar
December 30, 2021 at 4:42 AM
Congratulations on your win with these wonderfully written verses, John. Your entry would've been chosen as my winner.
Watt Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 8:07 PM
Grateful for your affirmation, Lin. It's been so good to have you back this year. Happy New Year ~ John
Awtry Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 9:17 PM
John this is flawless! Just spectacular! Congratulations on your trophy finish!
Watt Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 8:07 PM
PS, I'm blushing. Thank you for the kindhearted and generous comment. Happy New Year ~ John
Faulkner Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 8:40 PM
Thrilled to see this take first place, John, congratulations on your trophy win, well deserved~
Watt Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 8:09 PM
Grateful for you, my friend. Happy New Year ~ John
Daniel Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 7:27 PM
A brilliant lyric concentrating on the prophecies of the birth of Christ and their fulfillment, John, awesome, congratulations:)
Watt Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 8:10 PM
I so appreciate your faith poetry Jo, I'm glad I can return the favour. Happy New Year ~ John
Y. Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 6:42 PM
Hi John, I'm just coming back to say congratulations your top win in the contest. It was well deserved. Happy New Year my friend:-) Alexis
Watt Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 8:11 PM
You are so good to me Alexis. So glad we met here at PS. Happy New Year ~ John
Calasibetta Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 5:50 PM
Congratulations on your well deserved 1st place win. Remarkable rewrite that should become the next Christmas Carol for us all. Blessings and Happy New Year, Paulette
Watt Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 8:12 PM
You are too kind, Paulette. Thank you so much and Happy New Year ~ John
Leiser Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 5:18 PM
Back to congratulate you on your top win, John! So well deserved! :)
Watt Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 8:13 PM
So grateful for you and the opportunities we have to encourage one another. Thank you Laura, and Happy New Year ~ John
Ray Choudhury Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 4:58 PM
Revisiting to congratulate on your top win. Best wishes ~ Mala
Watt Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 8:14 PM
Thank you for the blessing of two visits to this poem, Mala. Happy New Year ~ John
Roper Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 4:46 PM
Back with congratulations :)
Watt Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 8:15 PM
Grateful for you, dear Eve. Happy New Year ~ John
Kauffman Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 4:30 PM
Back with congratulations on your first place lyrics rewrite! Masterfully done dear friend. I think they just found the ball on the street outside the ball park!!! If I can figure out how to do an mp3, I will try to sing your lovely carol! No promises, but, will give it a shot! Sending you joy on a midnight clear!
Watt Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 8:16 PM
You have the knack for cracking me up while flooding my basement with kindness. So grateful for our friendship. Happy New Year ~ John
Mcintosh Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 2:50 PM
Congrats on first place.. Your song is amazing... it is beautifully done. I love this. God bless you always, Love, Gina
Watt Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 1:49 AM
Thank you dear Gina, loved your contest and the great winners you selected and the wonderful lyrics they created. God bless you and your family in the new year ~ John
Poteet Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 2:00 PM
Congrats on your new words for the old Christmas carol. Great choice of a carol, perfect rendition of rhythm and rhyme. Well-deserved first place, JOhn.
Watt Avatar
December 31, 2021 at 1:51 AM
Thank you for such kind words, Reason. Happy new year to you.
Leiser Avatar
December 23, 2021 at 7:21 PM
John, this lyric is outstanding! You “marry” the words and the subject together perfectly. The message is strong, uplifting and filled with wonder around the birth of Christ Jesus. Perfect! :)
Watt Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 1:35 PM
Laura, always grateful for your kind support and encouragement in the faith. I appreciate your enthusiastic and uplifting comment and our ongoing friendship and fellowship. May you and your family enjoy a blessed 2022 ~ John
Hamilton Avatar
December 23, 2021 at 3:20 PM
An excellent spiritual song, yes Messianic prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus, a wonderful message, thanks for posting this wonderful song!
Watt Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 1:34 PM
Thank you, my friend. A favorable review from my fellow songwriter means the world to me. Grateful for your poetry friendship, may God bless you throughout 2022 ~ John
Ray Choudhury Avatar
December 23, 2021 at 7:02 AM
Oh John, such a spiritual, musical, lyrical, ethereal poem of yours! Your lyricism, poignancy, faith, mastery of words - profoundly enchanting! This is going to my faves, for sure, Dear Friend. Merry Christmas, and a blessed New Year to you and your family. Love and Blessings ~ Mala
Watt Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 1:32 PM
Thank you deeply, dear Mala. Your words mean so much to me, your soul and compassion are always evident in your poetry and commentary. So glad to know you on this site and enjoy a poetry fellowship. Grateful for the fave and the kind comment. New Year's Blessings ~ John
Agustin Avatar
December 23, 2021 at 4:31 AM
Amen to this... biblical and spiritual... and yes, lyrical. Thanks for sharing this, and sharing your faith. God bless you. Belated blessed birthday likewise.
Watt Avatar
December 29, 2021 at 1:31 PM
Thank you, Beata. I hope your Christmas season has been filled with the love, joy, and peace of the Savior. Warmly, John
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