"Victory comes from you, O LORD. May you bless your people."  (Psalm 3:8)
Meditation: Lord, you are my shield, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. (Martin Luther)

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Here's the fourth excerpt from my book, Rosary Poetry: Poems on the life of Jesus Christ. Enjoy!

The Presentation2 Mary and Joseph, as required by Law, Brought their child before God in the Temple. Priest and victim, Jesus offered Himself. With these words, He yielded Himself in full: "I'm here, Father, to give my life to You, So that all sinners may be forgiven, and Your divine justice be satisfied. For their salvation, have mercy on them." Simeon, a holy man, was waiting To greet the Messiah before his death. For he had been promised by the Spirit That he would see Him before his last breath. Embracing the child, God's promise fulfilled, His life complete, it was time to let go.  He'd seen the salvation prepared for all, And glory on his Israel bestowed. This child would reveal His Father to us. Mary's heart would be pierced because of Him. Accepted or rejected, this God-Man Was the one who would save us all from sin.

²de Liguori, St. Alphonsus. The Incarnation, Birth and Infancy of Jesus Christ. Brooklyn, NY: Redemptorist Fathers, 1927. 270-271. Print.

Copyright © 2010 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material must be done in its entirety with the copyright notice intact This book is not for sale, but is offered to the public free of charge for the glory of God, in deep appreciation for the mercy and grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.