new poem, "The Gospel"

"The Gospel"

Christ first appeared
On a cold wintry night

Snow was gently falling
A lone candle gave light

Born to the blessed Virgin Mary
Sweet baby Jesus, the incarnate deity

Emmanuel was now before us
Oh what a heavenly sight to see

Christ was now a man
He began His earthly ministry

The crippled were healed
The blind could now see

Christ is the Logos
The living Word

So open your ears
Let the Lord be heard

According to the Law
We are dead in our sin

A perfect sacrifice is needed
A propitiation

Jesus lived with His 12 Apostles
He taught them all without exception

But one would betray Him
This man of perdition

In the Garden of Gethesemane Jesus prayed
And asked if He could forgo this bitter pill

Our precious Lord sweat blood
And He accepted the Father's will

Christ was taken before the religious authorities
They cruelly mocked Him

The Romans brutally scourged and beat Jesus
His life flickered dim

Oh how our Lord suffered
He endured so much pain

Our very sins caused this misery
The wicked heart profane

The King of Kings was crucified
Upon this tree He hung

He was slowly suffocating
Oh His burning lung

The Apostle John and the Blessed Mother
Saw the God Man in agony

Jesus cried out, "It is finished!"
His spirit did flee

He was buried in a tomb
The Romans guarded it well

Christ visited Abraham's Bosom
He released the souls from Hell

This perfect Lamb of God
Died in our place

He took on sin
Jesus finished the race

Now on the 3rd day
Something happened most miraculous

It can hardly be reckoned
This event so stupendous

Our Lord Jesus was resurrected
His body glorified and risen

Death could not hold Him
The Son of God was free from prison

Christ conquered sin
Death and Satan too

His sacrifice has made salvation possible
For me and you

So place your faith in Jesus
Call upon His blessed Name

Your life will be transformed
You'll never be the same

By God's grace we are saved
Through faith received

We are regenerated
By the faith of a mustard seed

To be born again
Is the greatest miracle of all time

You will receive the Holy Spirit
Now walk in truth sublime

So praise Him on the earth
And in the Heavens above

Let us proclaim the Good News

And demonstrate Christ's love

(c) 2017 Zachary Uram

A Christmas poem

The Christmas Star shows the way
To the manger in Bethlehem
Filled with hay

The animals gave watch
As our dear Lord was born
On a crisp Christmas morn

Christ came to save us all
Man was lost in sin
Since the Fall

Out of love
Christ came to earth
To win us second birth

Repent and submit to Him too
Be born again
Your life is anew

Make Christ your Lord
And Savior today
Do not delay

So rejoice and be glad
Eternal life
Is now had

Decorate the Christmas tree
Sing carols and stroll in the snow
Have some egg nog and let your cheeks glow

Have colored lights that shimmer so bright
May there be peace on earth
On this magical Christmas night

So be jolly and full of cheer
Let Christmas mirth
Herald Christ's birth

(c) 2014 Zachary Uram

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! We are celebrating Christ Immanuel, the Word who became Flesh for our sakes. The incarnation is such an awesome event. God humbled Himself and came to earth as the God-Man to pay the price for our sins so that we could be redeemed. Such amazing love!

Please enjoy this performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio (Weihnachtsoratorium), BWV 248. Nikolaus Harnoncourt is conducting. Performers include Concentus Musicus Wien and soloists of the outstanding Tölzer Knabenchor. Soloists Peter Schreier (tenor) and Robert Holl (bass) really stand out. This performance is from 1982. You can purchase it here.

 

The Mystical Nativity (1501) by Sandro Botticelli

Cantatas No. 1 - 3


Cantatas No. 4 - 6

Cancer center bans Christian symbols!

These types of stories really make my blood boil. The Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center has banned all religious symbols on its premises for this Christmas season. They did it so as not to "offend anyone"! Spokeswoman for the Hollings Cancer Center, Vicky Agnew said that decorations will be, "more secular and respectful to all beliefs." Agnew said, "We don't want to offend a volunteer with good intentions, but we need to think of the bigger picture. People who are Muslim or Jewish or have no religious beliefs come here for treatment."  This action is, "not meant to be cold," she said.

This is, sadly, yet another instance of arrogance, fundamental misunderstanding of our Constitution and an outright cowardice! Keep in mind this cancer center is where sick people are recuperating from serious illnesses and it has been proven in peer reviewed research that prayer and ones Christian faith does have a positive impact on patient recovery! If anyplace this is where such vital symbols of faith, encouragement and hope are needed. Our Constitution does not establish an absolute divorce of religious content from the public arena. The so-called separation of church and state clause was instituted to protect people of faith from the abuses of government - something which many of our forefathers had experienced in Europe.

The rights of the many are abrogated and sacrificed on the expedient altar of political correctness! So the fear of a hardhearted atheist or member of some other faith was so compelling that they were forced to take such a Draconian action? I think not. There has been a concerted effort by liberals, spearheaded by groups like the ACLU, for decades to systematically remove all evidence of our Judeo-Christian heritage from *any* public space. This attack has been concentrated mainly on court houses, public primary schools, hospitals, universities, state parks, and businesses. They've even gone after private property owners having a large cross on display. We must fight back against this tyranny. For too long people of faith and freedom lovers have sat back and allowed this evil to foster. Now is the time for action! Please take time to contact the Hollings Cancer Center and let them know that you are angered by their decision and want them to reverse it. Remember: Jesus is the Reason for the Christmas season!

Here is some helpful contact information I collected. Make your voice heard today!

Vicky Agnew, Public Relations
Hollings Cancer Center
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 843-792-0376

Andrew S. Kraft, M.D., Director
Hollings Cancer Center
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 843-792-8284

Hollings Cancer Center
Main Phone: 843-792-0700

Medical University of South Carolina
Main Phone: 843-792-2300

Medical University of South Carolina
Attn: Raymond S. Greenberg, President
Colcock Hall
179 Ashley Ave.
MSC 001
Charleston, SC 29425

Medical University of South Carolina
Hollings Cancer Center
Attn: Andrew S. Kraft, M.D., Director
86 Jonathan Lucas Street
P.O. Box 250955
Charleston, SC 29425