Advent Prayer

We pray for peace, but violence stains our lips

We seek out justice, but our hands refuel oppression and strife

We long for hope through dark and gloomy eyes

We need you now – O come, Immanuel

We need you now – O come, Immanuel

We ask for joy, yet discontent we long for more

We search for truth, but let ourselves decide what’s right and what’s wrong

We look for love, yet find more wounded hearts

We need you now – O come, Immanuel

We need you now – O come, Immanuel

Prince of Peace, Lord of All

Risen King, Saving One

God with us, come dwell in us

We need you now – O come, Immanuel

We need you now – O come, Immanuel

This Advent Prayer is a song I wrote three years ago with words that are still very timely for today. In the midst of darkness, violence, and despair, we pray for peace, justice, and hope. We remember with joy that the light has broken into the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5), and we long for the day when Jesus, our Immanuel, will come again and right all wrongs.

Until that day, we find ourselves and our world in desperate need of a Savior. 

We need you now - O come, Immanuel.

                                                                        _ _ _

Over the Thanksgiving break, I had the privilege of taking the kids to Oregon to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with my mom, brothers and sister-in-law, niece, and the rest of the Farner clan. I am abundantly blessed with incredible family and relatives! It was a delightful time filled with beauty, laughter, love, and yes, exhaustion. But it was oh-so-worth-it.

Zoë's PreK Thanksgiving Feast

And we're off on our adventure!

Uncle Kenny

Legos!

One of many jamming sessions with Uncle Judah

Snow! Just a little bit. Enough to feed Lola. ;)

And little brother...

With Opa and Oma

Obligatory stop at Multnomah Falls

That Uncle Judah...he's the best.

She got a few piggy-back rides out of him. ;)

Thanksgiving Day hike

 Full of thanksgiving and full of delicious food!

Yum!

"Here Uncle Corby - do you want to try some?"

Yay for cousins! 

Elizabeth and Isaiah had a great time playing together.

And working on their sharing. :)

And just like that, it is Christmas time.

"Gingerbread" Nativity craft, thanks to Aunt Heidi!

Singing Christmas carols as a family may have been the highlight of my trip.

Not only are we a family of singers, we are a family of singers who love Jesus!

Isaiah had a thing for Cousin Anna

And Zoë was attached at the hip to Rachel ;)

Cousins...all growing up. 

*tear, tear*

I love my family <3

View of Mt. Hood from the plane on the flight home

 

Thankful that Didi was there in Texas to help us adjust back to normal life while Daddy locked himself in a room to read and write. And read and write some more. Only two weeks left of the semester!!! You can do it!

(Photo credit to Didi)

Hello, mini-me.

(Photo credit to Didi again)

May the love, joy and peace of Jesus Christ, Immanuel, dwell within you as you celebrate his coming to our world, and become more and more aware of his ever-present presence among us - the Light shining in the darkness. As we reflect his light, may we become more and more like him and shine brightly in our world.