O Come, O Come Emmanuel...

Advent Season is a time of reflection and preparation.  While we reflect on God's gracious gift of His Son, Jesus, two thousand years ago, we also prepare for His return...
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.  Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel... The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone... For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called,
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this." Isaiah 7:14; 9:2, 6-7
And He did!
Recall the glorious story of Emmanuel, God with us - Luke 1:26 - 2:21
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came and dwelt among us... He lived the life we couldn't live, died the death we should have died, but the story doesn't end there.  He defeated death and for those who trust in Him, he has promised to make all things new...to the praise of His glorious grace!
You can read the STORY here...

Some of my favorite words for today are, "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him.  You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you...the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:16-18, 26-27

I pray you will trust in the God who cares for you, came for you and will come again... May you experience His peace afresh today...
A brief visual reflection from our Thanksgiving holiday...
Kentucky bound...
Pit stop in Corbin (Tony's old stomping ground...a.k.a. rival ball game territory) to preach...




Following Monday night's service, we headed another two hours north for a few days...
Cousin time... much laughter... good times...




Of course, Tony had to squeeze a Kentucky Wildcats game in...



Had to snap a photo of this sweet girl, though she was sickly one night... preciousness...


We told Joshua to show us his tough face in between his two cousins here...

Not sure about you, but I'm frightened... ha ha ha...



Thanksgiving meal preparations...




Noah found this while looking for a table cloth...not quite the same things, ha ha...




Deliciousness... Tony's mom did it again!



Sibling love...


Following a short, but sweet visit to Kentucky we had to hit the road to Virginia for my grandfather's funeral... These guys were worn out...
We had to combat the Tryptophan...
and the snow...




But we made it! :-)
More cousin time!




Military graveside burial service...

























We stopped by 'Sugar Hill' (where my grandfather built their home many years ago) following the graveside burial for a little visit with my Uncle and his family...  This red barn was a happy sight for us as kids traveling to visit grandparents...


Friday night jam session...






And some dancing...





En route to the memorial service with a tree in our car... ha... made for a few laughs...

Photo opps...






Can you see the resemblance?






We made it home Saturday evening, grateful, despite the circumstances for the latter part of our travel... It was a blessing to get to see all our family....

We look forward to that day when "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away... Behold, I am making all things new... It is done!  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment." Revelation 21:4-6

Sunday evening it was time to...
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa la la la la la la la la
'Tis the season to be jolly
Fa la la la la la la la la


O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

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