Kevin Hartnett Poetry

Are You Looking for the Savior?

VERSE 1
Old Simeon would wake each day
To think about the Lord.
He knew that God had promised that
Their land would be restored.
The Spirit also made a wondrous guarantee:
That he would surely live until
The promised Christ he’d see.

CHORUS
Are you looking for the Savior?
Do you know Him – the Promised One?
All of hist’ry points to Jesus
He is God’s redeeming Son

VERSE 2
Sweet Anna worshipped God as well
Within the temple there.
She sought to know His heart and mind
By fasting and through prayer.
And when she saw the child
Began to sing His praise,
For God provided Jesus to
Redeem the nation’s ways.

VERSE 3
Let every heart now look to God
To see what He has done:
His promise of a Savior was
Fulfilled by His own Son.
The name of Jesus Christ
Be joy to every ear!
The sinless Son laid down His life
So sinners can draw near.

ALTERNATE VERSE 3 (FOR ADVENT)
Do you then think of God like this
Or long to know His will?
Do you commit to fast and pray
His purpose to fulfill?
O let us sing His praise
And speak of what He’s done -
To save a world enslaved in sin
God gave His precious Son!

I collaborated with Ken Boer to write this children's song back in 2007.  Basically, I wrote the lyrics and he wrote the music (though in good collaborations, like this one, the composer and lyricist both "tweak" one another's ideas). You can listen to it here on Ken's website.

New Verses for O Holy Night

Verse One: Placide Cappeau, trans. John S. Dwight)

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Verse Two (Kevin Hartnett)

Humbly He lay, Creator come as creature,
Born on the floor of a hay-scattered stall.
True Son of God, yet bearing human feature,
He entered earth to reverse Adam’s fall.
In towering grace, He laid aside His glory,
And in our place, was sacrificed for sin.
Fall on your knees! O hear the gospel story!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Verse Three (Kevin Hartnett)

Come then to Him Who lies within the manger,
With joyful shepherds, proclaim Him as Lord.
Let not the Promised Son remain a stranger;
In reverent worship, make Christ your Adored.
Eternal life is theirs who will receive Him;
With grace and peace, their lives He will adorn.
Fall on your knees! Receive the Gift of heaven!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

I wrote new lyrics for verses two and three a few years ago. I did my best to keep the "feel" of the original (English translation) but move the song to one that emphasizes the true meaning of Christmas: the coming of Christ to Earth to redeem mankind.  This song has a rather remarkable history.  You can read about it here.  The music was written by a Jewish man who set the lyrics of an infrequent church attender. 

Can we agree that it's time to redeem this wonderful melody to advance the gospel?!

One Look at Him

Imagine all the wonders that abound

In ev'ry distant swirling galaxy,

That daily now in telescopes are found

As far as swelling apertures can see!

　

O think upon the splendid vistas there,

Where colored triple stars o'er planets rise,

While shining moons and rings their splendors share

With asters strewn 'cross bright galactic skies!

　

Will heaven then surpassing wonders show-

When God creates the universe anew-

And there, as promised, on His works bestow

A beauty He will never need renew?

　

Yes, this shall happen, yet my soul must say:

One look at Him will sweep them all away.

 

This is a poem from my devotional book: The Heavens: Intimate Moments with Your Majestic God . It is in the English sonnet format. I wrote most of it sitting in the Motor Vehicle Administration waiting for my number to come up!! Will we need cars in heaven? I trust not. :)

 

A Wedding Prayer

Lord thank you for this happy day,

And praise the kind and mighty way

You brought this pair to love and grow

Through plans you purposed long ago.

 

We sense your gracious, guiding hand

In joining them that they might band

Together in your cause of love;

For covenant comes from above.

 

And so through Christ, our Hope, we pray

You bless them in broadest way

Their love and service may abound

To make your Name the more renowned.

 

Lord grant them health and strength this day

That they might run the race and stay

Protected safely in this life

From evil, hurt, disease and strife.

 

Remember to pour out your grace

In every trial that they face,

And give them wisdom, skill, and might

With courage to contend for right.

 

Provide them means so needs be met,

Not just their own, but further yet

To help the poor, and there perceive

The wealth that giving does receive.

 

Lord, grant them sweet and loving speech,

And may such fruit abide in each

That faithfulness secures the day

When tensions tempt their hearts to stray.

 

Let children come in time we pray,

And with them insight that they may

Instruct each in way of grace,

So gospel truth they will embrace.

 

Oh Father of the family tree,

Root now these lives in unity;

And let the heavens sing along

With us in praise through joyful song.

 

To Mike and Jocelyn with love on their wedding day, May 28, 2011.

 

Our wonderful son Michael married the wonderful Jocelyn Faith Wallwork on May 28th.  At the end of the ceremony between the songs "There Is No One Like Our God" (Steve and Vicki Cook) and "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" (lyrics by H.J. Van Dyke to the famous 9th Symphony melody by Beethoven) they asked me to pray for them.  Mike hinted that he wouldn't mind if it were poetic, so I took the hint and worked my thoughts into this poem.  I did my best to form a bridge the two songs as well as communicate my hopes and prayers for them.  Lord, bless them with joy according to your unsearchable greatness. Amen.

 

 

So I Will Praise Him in the Night

The plans of God bring ebb and flow –
His wisdom thus ordains it.
Prosperity to want may go,
As His good hands arrange it.
Both day and night dispense His grace;
Both work to serve His pleasure.
By day we know the glorious Face
At night we learn to treasure.

We err to think the darkness bad,
When shadows mask our knowing,
For there refreshing dew is had
That keeps the flowers growing.
The waxing and the waning moon
Both work to mark the season.
The winter dawn and dusk of June
Alike display His reason.

Shall we then seek that He explain
The circle of His blessing?
Our daily rhythms here maintain
Great patterns there expressing.
For sorrows come until the Day
When Night itself will vanish -
Till Wisdom has its perfect way -
And Light will Darkness banish.

The happy soul is then content
To know that He is faithful,
And through each difficult event
Remembers to be grateful.
For God commands each circumstance
To serve those of His calling.
His care enjoins the nightingale
To sing when dusk is falling.

So I will praise Him in the night,
This globe of sorrows surely turns.
See there His stars of promise bright;
Behold, the light of dawn returns.

 

-- K.Hartnett, August 2007

 

This poem was inspired by the June 1st morning entry in Morning and Evening, Daily Readings by Charles Haddon Spurgeon.  I've copied the entry below. You can read other entries at the following link.

“The evening and the morning were the first day.”

(Genesis 1:5)

Was it so even in the beginning? Did light and darkness divide the realm of time in the first day? Then little wonder is it if I have also changes in my circumstances from the sunshine of prosperity to the midnight of adversity. It will not always be the blaze of noon even in my soul concerns, I must expect at seasons to mourn the absence of my former joys, and seek my Beloved in the night. Nor am I alone in this, for all the Lord’s beloved ones have had to sing the mingled song of judgment and of mercy, of trial and deliverance, of mourning and of delight. It is one of the arrangements of Divine providence that day and night shall not cease either in the spiritual or natural creation till we reach the land of which it is written, “there is no night there.” What our heavenly Father ordains is wise and good.

What, then, my soul, is it best for thee to do? Learn first to be content with this divine order, and be willing, with Job, to receive evil from the hand of the Lord as well as good. Study next, to make the outgoings of the morning and the evening to rejoice. Praise the Lord for the sun of joy when it rises, and for the gloom of evening as it falls. There is beauty both in sunrise and sunset, sing of it, and glorify the Lord. Like the nightingale, pour forth thy notes at all hours. Believe that the night is as useful as the day. The dews of grace fall heavily in the night of sorrow. The stars of promise shine forth gloriously amid the darkness of grief. Continue thy service under all changes. If in the day thy watchword be labour, at night exchange it for watch. Every hour has its duty, do thou continue in thy calling as the Lord’s servant until he shall suddenly appear in his glory. My soul, thine evening of old age and death is drawing near, dread it not, for it is part of the day; and the Lord has said, “I will cover him all the day long.”

From Morning and Evening; Daily Readings by Charles Haddon Spurgeon (Morning entry, June 1st)

O the Riches in the Gospel!

O the riches in the Gospel! 

Purposes no man conceived! 

Grace unfailing; love astounding, 

Given those who have believed! 

 

Pardon full for helpless sinners. 

Justified- though guilty be! 

Jesus cursed for our transgressions; 

We made righteous by decree! 

 

Peace with God, oh timeless marvel! 

Christ’s blood our security! 

Holiness at one with Favor; 

Heaven opened wondrously! 

 

Purpose in the Master’s kingdom; 

We, His worksmanship by grace, 

Cleansed to serve; alive in conscience; 

Spirit-filled to run the race. 

 

Pleasure in His highest priv’ledge: 

Sons of God by name are we! 

Heirs with Christ through God’s adoption; 

Called in love eternally!

 

O the riches in the Gospel! 

Purposes no man conceived! 

Grace unfailing; love astounding, 

Ever theirs who have believed!

-- K. Hartnett, November 2005

 

Pardon, peace, purpose, pleasure - oh what riches we have in Christ!

You Go Before Us

Chorus

You go before us,

And what great comfort in the thought.

You've planned the future,

And love eternal is our lot!

Can it be You see my life through all eternity...

Waiting there for me?!

Oh gracious Father unto Thee

I pledge my love!

 

Verse One
Though my plans are filled with doubts and imperfections,

And the paths I choose do seem to go astray;

When I look again I see You there before me:

Establishing my steps along the way.

 

Verse Two
There's no mystery in Your purpose for the future.

Even now your faithful love's extending there.

You've made time to serve as keeper of Your blessings:

Another demonstration of Your care!

-- K. Hartnett, 1994
 

Come Now, Look to Me

Come now, look to Me, My precious daughter;
I know all that’s coming you can’t see.
Rest in faith for I have planned tomorrow,
And will lead you to it faithfully.

I know all the worries that you carry,
You can trust that I will answer prayer.
All the things that you call limitations,
Are to Me, broad avenues for care.

It was I who planned the generations;
I have wisdom working even now.
Ev’ry act of love done for your children
Forms a model to them I’ll endow.

Do not shrink from loving confrontation;
Discipline is truly work of grace;
Lessons from the book of gospel-living
Lay foundations time cannot erase.

See, your efforts carry far beyond you;
Seeds of virtue planted home today
Yield a harvest long into the future;
You advance My Kingdom in this way.

Raise these treasured children, loving daughter;
Time is short; make joy your memory!
Is this not the best life I could give you?
Love and purpose in your family!

--K. Hartnett, February 2005

Two years ago around this time I was asked to write a poem to encourage the homeschooling mothers in our church's Family Schools Program.  May this poem continue to help, encourage, and inspire these dedicated and hard-working women of God.

There, into Peace

There, into peace, the spirit of the work-
Man makes its way.  Not deaf to Providence-
As one who questions long, or seeks to shirk
The call of God- but rather, in defense
Of those less able in his mind to cope,
Still labors on- attentive to the end
With those he loves.  Great men thus made who hope
In prayer live ever ready as a friend,
Through loving care inquiring all to know,
Both good and bad, for there the hand of God
Is seen- and in this knowledge, how to sow
Their energies and interests ever broad.

So precious to the Lord then comes the day,
When to Himself He calls such souls away.

-- K. Hartnett, February 2007

I wrote this for one of our pastors upon learning that his father had passed away.

Even So, Come Quickly

Chorus

Even so, come quickly,
Oh my Lord do not delay!
You're my Blessed Hope,
And I long for You today.
Redeem my lowly body
And restore Thy perfect way.
How I yearn for Your returning,
And the wonder of that Day.

Verse One

The world rejects your wisdom
And has turned its back on grace;
Godless hearts surround me more and more.
I praise You for your mercy
And your love which so forbears,
But I see so much injustice
That I call to Thee who cares...

Verse Two

I see Your power around me,
And I marvel at Your ways;
The manner of your working I adore.
And yet my heart is aching;
There's a cry within my soul,
To leave behind the mortal
And to know redemption whole.

 

-- K. Hartnett, August 1996