I am linking up for Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “now” We’d love to have you join us. Just hop onto Twitter on Thursday evenings and follow the #fmfparty. Hope to see you there!
I just finished watching Dolly Parton’s movie Christmas of Many Colors. Let’s just say that by the end I was a blubbering mess. Now I am sitting with my peppermint mocha in hand, the tree lights twinkling, and the sounds of Full House on television behind me.
It is bitter cold outside. It feels like negative 20. So I am finding myself staying inside where it is warm and cozy. I am reflecting on this Advent and how my friends Advent devo has released this beautiful vessel from me. A beautiful vessel of words that captures my own story.
I cannot help but think of those in Aleppo especially the children. I want them to know safety and love. To be honest, every time I see an image of a child with their ash covered face; full of fear, I immediately want to adopt them ALL. But I know that is not my reality. So I am doing my best to help in the ways that I know how to help.
In the midst of a broken world, Advent is the time for us to reflect on the hope and peace that is born that holy night in a manger in Bethlehem. This baby who cries out and pierces the darkness with his cries of raw love in this broken world.
Emmanuel God with us…God with us in our pain, God with us in our doubt, God with us in our joy, God with us in our mourning and our dancing. God with us when we cannot find the words to speak. God with us in the love and hope born that holy night. Now is the time to reflect on the gift that is born; the child born as the Word made Flesh!
This song is so powerful. Listen closely to the words.
The Word made flesh!
Yes, I have been saying Immanuel God with us, and contemplating those words. I am thankful that Isaiah 7:14 is a verse that my family is memorizing this Advent. I hope you have a blessed Advent! -Jolene <3
Thank You! I hope your Advent has been blessed too!
Hope is mixed with love, and in some miraculous way, it covers a multitude of sins. I feel the immense heart behind your words. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank You Christina! 🙂
What a beautiful post, and I, too have been thinking of the kids in Aleppo. Back in the day I fought through places like that, and I did indeed want to take the kids home with me.
Thank You!
Yes! I love that God is with us now, whatever we are facing.
Me too!
God has definitely given Dolly a gift. I loved the movie when I watched it last year and am hoping to catch the sequel next week when they play it again.
I myself am so grateful for the blessing of advent and the hope and promise of eternity in the midst of the brokenness.
Merry Christmas friend!
Such a great movie! Merry Christmas to you too friend!
Tara, this is so sweet to my soul…
I am so glad! 🙂
Tara, I feel your tender heart here as it aches for the hurting and lost, the children of Aleppo in particular. And I also sense Hope rising in you as you ponder the wonder of the child at Bethlehem and the immanence of God with us in the here and now. These words are so beautiful and uplifting in the midst of our world's pain and great suffering: "Emmanuel God with us…God with us in our pain, God with us in our doubt, God with us in our joy, God with us in our mourning and our dancing. God with us when we cannot find the words to speak. God with us in the love and hope born that holy night. Now is the time to reflect on the gift that is born; the child born as the Word made Flesh!" Amen! Thank you, this is lovely. xo
Thank You!
Tara, I am in the row of the 70's I agree about the lost children of the Aleppo. Now is the time to reflect on the Christ. I help through the children of compassion international, world mission, and yet it doesn't seem to be enough. I loved your post. Blessings Diana
Thank You Diana! I am glad you loved my post! Blessings to you too!
Tara, you have a beautiful heart of love. Your words remind us that God is so close and with us through all the hard, messy times. I watched the movie about Dolly last year and I do want to see this sequel, too. Blessings to you, Tara.
Thank You, Gayl! Blessings to you too!