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High School Poetry Contest Winners

Seton's High School Message Board recently sponsored a poetry contest for high school students. We received many excellent poems, for which we thank all who participated.

Here are the winning poems:

First Place: Lauren Enk, Grade 10

Grace

It rained that night,
When He was born,
But not the rain we know.
For earthly snow, celestially formed
That night did wind-borne flow.

The rain that fell
Was not of earth
Or even sky above
The rain that fell, spilled, showered down,
Was Grace from God’s great Love.

Invisible to human eyes,
Immutable in form,
That rain came down, a blessing to
Our fallen face forlorn
When first His infant voice,
Did swell a human cry,
Then, from heaven out of love,
Grace fell from the sky.

Immaculate, His Mother,
Kissed His Holy Face.
The Spirit had o’ershadowed her
For she was full of Grace.
And Joseph, righteous, upright man,
Knelt beside in his humility,
For Grace to him was given,
To care for God’s own Family.

It rained that night,
When He was born.
But not the rain we know.
Divine rain that night showered down
Benediction to man below.

Second Place: Cassandra Marie Schmitt, Grade 12

Jesus, Our Emmanuel

Star of Bethlehem so bright,
Night eschewing from thy light,
Guiding wise men to their God;
The three kings' path would I trod!

Angels beckon by their choir;
Shepherds hearken, (their hearts' Desire!)
"A Savior unto us is born!"
Were I in shepherd's clothing worn!

Stately kings prostrate on ground;
Livestock, shepherds, sheep surround!
Joseph, Mary, Infant Lowly,
In thy presence take me fully!

Star of Christ: steeple alight,
Leading men to Christ this night
When first was seen the Light our God,
To Him take me! (Their path I trod!)

The angels' cry: bells aspire
Announcing Jesus, our Desire,
As on that night when He was born,
Is come! (The shepherd's cloak I've worn!)

Wealthy layman church-ward bound
Next to humble poor man found;
Jesus, on the altar here,
In Thy Presence keep me near!

Third Place: Joe Brizek, Grade 11

The Meaning of Christmas

The words of the prophets,
As told by the Spirit
Manifest clear entwined,
Listen close, can you hear it?
Rethreaded by some,
To fit any such void,
That given its purpose,
Should well be destroyed.
For the spring of new life,
Given full to is Master,
Investing itself,
Has staved off disaster.

She's named Second Eve,
And to God she obeyed,
Giving room to conceive,
To Whom we have prayed.
Though being laden with the child,
With her cousin she met,
She spoke and she smiled,
Bearing not a regret.

For how many pursue,
Who find hunger and pain,
The riches and pleasure,
To Our Lord, God's disdain?
Poor and sick unattended,
The sinners continued,
Not thinking the circumstance,
Of the fate that ensued.
Who what of these sick,
And of those poor at heart,
Would they burn an eternity,
For in what they took part?

On a journey she went,
Being joined to her spouse,
Came the Child as sent,
They were in need of a house.
Rebuked by each person,
Still in search of a place,
Would that nothing should worsen,
Joseph quickened his pace.

Acquired by some,
Yet needed by each,
Tis the Lord's utmost grace,
For which the sickly beseech.
Pure natures had left us,
And fallen was man,
In need of a Savior,
Yet unaware of God's plan.
Heaven escaped them,
Those who lived in those days,
Depriving each person,
Of that Heavenly gaze.

A cave of the earth,
For the King of the skies,
Mary then gave birth,
Came the Christ's humble cries.
In need of a Savior,
At last as it seemed,
Despite out behavior,
We would all be redeemed.

Yes the Christmas occurred,
Finally laying foundation,
That the Christ's sacrifice,
Soon availed our salvation.