Winners of the 2022 Charles Wesley Poetry Contest!
The Holy Theotokos by Maria Bellini
The editors at Firebrand are pleased to present to you the winners of our second annual Charles Wesley Poetry Contest! In celebration of Charles Wesley’s birthday on December 18, we invited readers to submit original poetry that reflects orthodox Wesleyan theology, creates aesthetic appeal and a coherent theme, and uses appropriate literary devices. Ultimately, we asked our readers to create poems that lead us all to praise God. We had many fine submissions, with a variety of themes and styles. This made it extremely difficult to choose our winners. We congratulate this year's winner, Theodore Somes, a seminarian at Virginia Theological Seminary, for his beautiful presentation of the Incarnation in his poem “How our God came to us.” Each poet likewise presents deep theological themes in creative ways. Thank you to everyone who participated!
how our god came to us
To Bethlehem by Maria Bellini
How our God came to us
Born of a Virgin expectant
Humble and meek was He
Lying alone in a manger
Lo, this is Christ!
Born to cast Rulers from thrones
All of creation bows to Him.
Join in the angels’ song
Sing with a loud acclamation!
Listen to Shepherds’ cry,
Magi and heaven adore Him
Glory to God!
Peace and good will to all men.
Join in a chorus of vic’try.
O Church, cry out to Him!
Look at the grace He extendeth!
Born to set captive free,
And break the chains that restraineth
Make all this known!
Lowly and outcast He came,
death and despair no more triumph.
When Christ shall come again
Trumpets shall sound at His entry
All of the saints rise up,
Joyfully singing Him praises.
Radiant is He!
Wounds of this world, He amends
Lord of all, He reigns forever.
By Theodore Somes
Alexandria, VA
Come and Dine
Eucharistic by Maria Bellini
Through the work of the Spirit we renounce our sin
Through the waters of baptism we are grafted in
We come to the table for His grace so divine
Jesus invites us now to come and dine
At the table of Christ we all shall be fed
We recognize Jesus in the breaking of bread
Strength for the journey and nourishment too
This means of grace is ancient and true
At the table of Christ our thirst is relieved
Through the fruit of the vine His blood is received
This cup of love so gracious and free
This means of grace given for you and me
The sacrament of Jesus real flesh and blood
The sacrament of Eucharist real grace and love
Jesus speaks of this holy mystery
"Take this often in remembrance of me."
Journey to the table and find Jesus there
He has prepared a meal for you to share
Feast on Christ through bread and wine
The invitation still stands to come and dine
By Austin Lynch
Stonewood, WV
heavn’ly timepiece
If there were a heavn’ly timepiece
That proclaimed Christ’s soon return
That revealed both day and hour
Would our hearts within us burn?
Love transmission by Maria Bellini
Would we quench the sinner’s thirst then?
Would we preach in street and field?
Would we do now as at first then
Until souls were safely sealed?
Lukewarm Christians now repenting
Heal the sick and wake the dead
End your sad and ceaseless sinning
Live the life of Christ instead
Life abundant, joy unceasing
Our God’s promise here and now
Though we suffer, life increasing
Is his blood-bought sacred vow
See our King at heaven’s portal
Hear the trumpet, sound the call
Live out Jesus’ life immortal
Raze the remnants of the fall
Do you not know Heaven’s Glory?
Life He bleeds and love He gives
All creation sings His story
Wake Your hearts from sleep and live
As the clock moves on to morning
Worship God in flood and fire
Looking up with patient longing
Jesus comes, our Joy’s desire
We await Your future coming
You are here by Spirit now
We’ll rejoice at Your descending
Faithful King, we humbly bow
by Andrea C. Hunter
Nashville, TN
Stars and Comets by Maria Bellini
Above the Stars, Beyond the Sky
Above the stars, beyond the sky
Our Sovereign God, in majesty,
Unfolds His canopy of grace
And spreads it o’er humanity.
God’s love is freely given to all
Who call His name and seek His face
And when they stumble, lose their way,
Give us the words to speak your grace.
Earth still awaits a wondrous sign
To signal a new kingdom come.
That sign was given on the cross
And echoed in the empty tomb.
Eternal is your kingdom, Lord,
Ruled by the Holy Three-in-One.
Long may our voices sing your praise,
And tell of your redeeming love. (8.8.8.8. DUKE STREET)
by Nancy Tinnell
Louisville, KY
Free snow
Towards you by Maria Bellini
Simple it could have been--
No way to freely sin
No gravity for falls
No emergency room calls
Is freedom really free?
When inwardly we go
gods our own to be
hearts as cold as snow?
God’s answer to “Why God?”
Is often “because of you”
this lonesome life I trod
blaming You for you.
Accountability
I shirk and dodge. Avoid.
When calm is there for me.
If pride I’ll un-employ.
So in the woods I stay--
Until ready to say:
“Your will be done.”
Snow melted in the Son.
by Nathan Custer
Marysville, OH
Mark 4:26-29 by Maria Bellini
Cheekwood in Afternoon
Walk with me down this cobblestone path
Down the hill under sycamore shade
Look deep and drink of what God has made
Creation shouts as we share a laugh
Row upon row of ornamental blooms
Where short plants stand in the front of the line
Meticulously weeded with no dandelions
Plants perfectly spaced make a colorful room
This garden seems like holy ground.
Beauty springs forth through clay and dirt
Where man was formed from the dust of the earth
Temples aren't only where God is found
Horticulturalists toil, tending this spot
But in the beginning there was no sweat
No thorns, no splinters, or regrets
A perfect world from Creators thought
Man unashamed and free to choose
And work with uncalloused hands among roots
The sole rule, "do not eat of the fruit"
Life in the garden was his to lose
Communion was broken with one bite
Man and woman's eyes could see
Banished because they ate from the tree
Death invaded the garden; began the fight
But the Maker was not caught unaware
His full purpose had not yet been revealed
Death thought its victory had been sealed
But Emmanuel came to save us while there
Gethsemanes garden was where he bled
As he prayed among the olive trees
"Not my will but Yours for me"
His righteous blood on the cross was shed
Wrapped in linen and laid to rest
This inncocent man in a garden grave
But Creator has power over death and to save
Emmanuels heart beat again in his chest
Victory! His blood poured out was not in vain
He sprinkled the earth and baptized the ground
To rain on those who would soon be found
Resurrection power revealed through pain
So I say, "Oh death, where is your sting?"
And though this sorrow may last for the night
And though night's darkness has taken my sight
Both joy and light will come in the morning
And in His light I'll walk streets of gold
And worship near the tree of life
A perfect garden with no tears or strife
Ten thousand years and it won't grow old
Take a seat next to me in this sod
And gaze upon what can not compare
To the garden that's coming, join me there
Look on this beauty and listen to God
by Joseph McKinley
North Augusta, SC
Come lord Jesus
by Maria Bellini
Come, Lord Jesus! We await
thy light which dreadful darkness breaks.
Come, Lord Jesus! Jacob’s star,
now bring near what prophets saw far.
Come, Lord Jesus! Hasten now
to take our swords and give us plows.
Come, Lord Jesus! Jesse’s stock,
shepherd thy people as thy flock.
Come, Lord Jesus! Pris’ners free,
loose our shackles by thy decree.
Come, Lord Jesus! Dayspring break,
sleepers from slumber now awake.
Come, Lord Jesus! Word of God,
all thy’ve made shall see and stand awed.
Come, Lord Jesus! Stand and knock,
enter doors which long we’ve kept locked.
Come, Lord Jesus! Son of Man,
on heav’nly clouds which ‘cross skies span.
Come, Lord Jesus! As before,
reign o’er thy kingdom evermore.
by Samuel Blades
Madison, AL
Jesus by Maria Bellini
All accompanying artwork is by Maria Bellini. She lives and paints in Dayton, Ohio. Her artwork can be viewed and purchased here.