by AMN
Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo
The Almighty has them faded.
Look around you, none of his work is dated. Continue reading
contributors
Lectionary: Christmas Eve/Day December 24/25
by Hugh Brown
“The Announcement”
Luke 2:(1-7),8-20
“He’s here!”, announced the angel of the Lord. This great proclamation made to a unique and unsuspecting audience. Shepherds. The true embodiment of the Savior of the world.
David, a shepherd before he was king, wrote in Psalm 23,
“The Lord is my shepherd…” Continue reading
Poem: “Jesus’ Birth”
“Jesus’ Birth”
Holy child of virgin birth,
born to bring salvation to this earth.
Down from heaven you did come,
so that your Father’s will is done.
Not to bring peace, but the sword,
to separate your own from the horde.
Capstone of God’s glorious plan,
to bring redemption for every man.
Lying in a manger with your star overhead,
destined to die and be raised from the dead.
To fulfill the promise you’ll be hung on a tree,
becoming a curse to set men free.
Christmas in Prison 6
“My Most Memorable Christmas in Prison” by CM
The holidays in general, and Christmas in particular, take on special meaning for those of us in prison for a variety of reasons. For the most part, guys are looking forward to receiving a decent mean of turkey and/or ham. Prison staff typically adopts a slightly less confrontational stance and well-meaning volunteers often come in for special events like concerts from church choirs. For some, this season will mark the one time of the year they’ll receive a visit, perhaps some mail; and for others, it’s a time that reminds them just how alone they are because these visits don’t come.
Christmas in Prison 5
by Terrance “Lil’ Bear” Plummer
Christmas In A Prison House
A house is not a home. I’ve been in prison now for 21 years, I was put in jail 6 days before Christmas December 19th 1995. Now, that was one of the toughest Christmas’s I had ever known! The pain that takes place within from missing family! It was primal. One can almost hear the silent screams inside at God and life. For the man or woman who never came to know Christ Jesus while in this prison experience, the silent screams never really go away at the Christmas season. It’s never easy doing time during the Holiday Day season while in prison, but when one has had an experience with Jesus, everything changes. Most men I’m doing time with never knew Jesus is the true and real reason why we celebrate. Most can’t see the new life Jesus really bring. Continue reading
Poem: “Christmas Bells”
“Christmas Bells”
As Christmas bells ring through the air,
I ask myself, “Why do people care?” Continue reading
Christmas in Prison 4
by AMN
I have been incarcerated for 14 years and the more I read the Word of God, the more I realize that my former traditions of celebrating Christmas were in fact not Christlike at all. The corporations of the globe have seized and confiscated this day to exploit consumers and enslave them to worship this holiday solely based on materialism. Continue reading
Poem: “A Convict’s Symphony”
by AMN
“A Convict’s Symphony”
The system believes that Christ would
never have any dealings with me.
A gangsta’ who ran the streets.
Welcome to this convict’s symphony,
Please forgive me,
But there’s no violins playing in this soliloquy.
The Messiah came to redeem me of
my iniquities!
It’s been almost two millennia since He
obediently embraced his destiny.
What was that you said to me?
Oh, yeah,
“Jesus despises people like me!” Continue reading
Christmas in Prison 2
by Hugh Brown
Perhaps the most challenging Christmas in prison was the first one. I had only been incarcerated four months so my adjustment to this environment was far from being completed. The only gift I wanted for Christmas that year was to be home. Well, there was something else I wanted, but I couldn’t turn back the hands of time to undo the hurt I’d caused. As the years have passed, Christmas away from family and friends has a new meaning. Yes, I’m physically separated from my biological family; however, I’ve been blessed to enjoy the true spirit of Christmas with the men around me – my extended family.
Lectionary: Advent 2A
by AMN
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
“Relief of Judgment”
This psalm was initially a prayer for the young King Solomon when he replaced his father David on the throne. In this psalm, there’s an outline of how he is to govern the kingdom of Israel. The poor are to be rightly judged, the children of the needy are to be saved, and the oppressor needs to be broken (v. 4).These are all things that Christ exercised in his ministry on Earth. The first two come easy to followers during the holiday season and forgotten even faster when it’s over. What about breaking the oppressor in pieces?
Prison Lectionary 