Sunday, December 30, 2012

Monday's Mourning Ministry - First Advent Celebrated ~ Second Advent Anticipated...






Monday's Mourning Ministry


First Advent Celebrated ~ 

Second Advent Anticipated...







O Come O Come Emmanuel 

~Selah 
with lyrics 

O בא את אמנואל



O come O come Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel, 
that mourns in lonely exile here 
Until the Son of God appears

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Thy people with 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 root 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!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!




"This beautiful rendition of 'O Come Emmanuel' is by the highly anointed group, Selah, from the album, Ultimate Christmas Hits, Vol. 2. The beginning background music is Hatikvah (The Hope), The National Anthem of Israel. This is significant because Emmanuel, the Messiah, will return to save His people, Israel. Emmanuel is 'The Hope Of Israel' O בא את אמנואל

"John M. Neale, an English hymn translator, translated this hymn from Latin into English in the 1800's. 

"Christians rejoice with God's people of all ages upon realization that Christ the Messiah did come ages ago. Biblical references of the birth of Jesus and to believers, the real meaning of Christmas, are given in Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23..."



All right then, the Lord Himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us').

~Isaiah 7:14 (NLT) - Old Testament prophecy




As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through His prophet:
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call Him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”

~Matthew 1:20-23 (NLT) New Testament fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy



Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. 
But we know that when He (Jesus) appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see Him as He is.

~1 John 3:2


Context for this verse is below:

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He (Jesus) appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

~1 John 3:1-3 (NIV)


(B)elievers are not made like Him at death, for death introduces them into a disembodied state. That "death" is not the believer's Hope is clear from many Scriptures. See 1 Pet.1:3:


Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

~1Peter 1:3 (NIV)


Because Jesus died for our sins, and God resurrected Him from the dead, now we that believe in Jesus have been given a living hope that when we die, our bodies will be resurrected from the dead and we will "be like Him" when Jesus comes back to get us in the Second Coming to forever be with God and Him in Heaven...forever!


A fuller context of this verse is below:

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and 
Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the 
sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Praise to God for a Living Hope

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 
In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through 
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance 
that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through 
faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation 
that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had 
to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—
of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—
may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when 
Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; 
and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are 
filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the 
goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that 
was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 
trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit 
of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of 
Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that 
they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the 
things that have now been told you by those who have preached 
the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels 
long to look into these things.

Be Holy
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; 
set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus 
Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the 
evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He 
who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 
“Be holy, because I am holy.”

Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, 
live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it 
was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you 
were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from 
your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without 
blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but 
was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through Him you believe 
in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your 
faith and hope are in God.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you 
have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the 
heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable 
seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 
For,

“All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord stands forever.”

And this is the word that was preached to you.

1 Peter 1:1-25 (NIV)


The apostle returns thanks because we have been begotten again "unto a living hope." 

The saint of God has a living hope in a dying scene: a glorious prospect beyond this vale of tears. 


The apostle Paul reminds us that there is laid up a crown of righteousness unto all them that love Christ's "appearing"


See 2 Tim 4:8 :

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.



The fuller context of this verse is below:

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

~2 Timothy 4:1-8 (NIV)




Death is my going to Christ, but His Return is Christ coming to me.  
Death is a cause of sadness and sorrow, but the Return of the Lord is a cause of joy and comfort— 
"Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 

(1 Thess 4:18, see context.)




The Second Advent
Yet He now is awaited with the same urgent expectation for His second advent (as He was for His first advent, which we celebrate at Christmas), when victory over sin and death will be final. (!)





For the Lord himself will come down from Heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

~1 Thessalonians 4:16 (NIV)


Below is the fuller context for this verse:


The Coming of the Lord
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 

For the Lord himself will come down from Heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 

Therefore encourage each other with these words.

~1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV)




In Christmas, we have just celebrated Jesus's first coming to earth as a little baby.

Now we eagerly await His second coming which is termed "that blessed hope" (Titus 2:13):



while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ...

~Titus 2:13 (NIV)



The fuller context of this Scripture follows:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.

~Titus 2:11-14


At the Return of our Lord we shall be made like Him (See 1 John 3:2):


Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He (Jesus) appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is.

~1 John 3:2 (NIV)


So Jesus now is awaited with the same urgent expectation for His second advent, when victory over sin and death will be final!




He who testifies to these things says, 
“Surely I am coming soon.” 
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

~Revelation 22:20









Grief Video: http://youtu.be/ULfmzfo8VaU

Sunday's Sorrow - Child-Loss Grief Amidst the Holidays






Sunday's Sorrow

Child-Loss Grief 
Amidst the Holidays



Merry Christmas In Heaven To Our Angels


We do not need a special day to bring you to our minds.
The days we do not think of you are very hard to find.
Each morning when we awake we know that you are gone.
And no one knows the heartache as we try to carry on.
Our hearts still ache with sadness and secret tears still flow.
What it meant to lose you no one will ever know.
Our thoughts are always with you, your place no one can fill.
In life we loved you dearly; in death we love you still.

There will always be a heartache, and often a silent tear,
But always a precious memory of the days when you were here.
If tears would make a staircase, and heartaches make a lane,
We'd walk the path to heaven and bring you home again.
We hold you close within our hearts; and there you will remain,
To walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again.
Our family chain is broken now, and nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.


~Author Unknown










Picture, thanks to ~I Miss Those Close To Me Who Are Now In Heaven As Beautiful Angels

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Saturday's Sayings - What is Grief? Part Five ~written by grieving mother, Debra Carter and many grieving mothers...






Saturday's Sayings

What is Grief?

Part Five

~written by grieving mother, 
Debra Carter 
and many grieving mothers...








~Angel Mommy Creations




~~~~~






I never knew I could slip through grieving so badly. 
The daily struggle, the heartbreak which I have. 
My strength is slowly dying inside; the pain truly exists. 
Really I couldn't feel anything else, but only this. 
Grief is such a mysterious emotional drainage: 
Living in limbo, trying to live with such courage. 
This is actually hard; be easy with me. 
I didn't ask for this; it's not an act, you see. 
Attacking me verbally doesn't make me rush through it; 
It only prolongs the grief and ruins our relationship. 
So don't be surprised if I don't come to your door; 
You have hurt me deeply with words you thought were the cure.

~Lu

~Death of a Loved One


  • Grief is physical.




~~~~~





~Grieving Mother, Denise M. King



  • Grief is feeling rundown and getting sick over and over again.




~~~~~





~Faith, Hope, Love


  • Grief is holding your breath, or breathing fast and shallow like a scared rabbit.




~~~~~





~Vintage pics via Tumblr


  • Grief is forgetting and then remembering again that someone is really dead.




~~~~~





~Vintage pics via Tumblr


  • Grief is a dim spotlight that illuminates the void where a life once was.




~~~~~





~Death of a Loved One 


  • Grief is throwing your hands up into the air and collapsing onto the floor into despair.







Friday's Faith - "One Baby's Impact on the World"







Friday's Faith

"One Baby's Impact on the World"



I don't know about y'all, but I was not really able to enjoy Christmas fully until after Christmas this year. Christmas day this year was sweet as this was the first time since our first Christmas without Merry Katherine that we were able to enjoy having a part of our family over for several hours. Typically, we are so undone, we cannot do festivities of any kind on that day. It is just too sad for us without our baby. As in all the major holidays, it seems I almost have to "hold my breath" right up to the day, and then throughout the day of the actual holiday so that I can just "make it through." Then I can seem to "let down" and process what the holiday is all about. 

So that is why I have continued to celebrate Christmas with you all this week. (And I thank you for indulging me!) It is such a special time to celebrate our Savior's coming, and finally I can "feel" that "comfort and joy" and enjoy the sweet intimacy of Love coming down just for us. Tonight I celebrate the great impact our Savior's coming has had on our world... 





One Baby's Impact on the World






Sweet blessings to each of you today!





Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Thursday's Therapy - Where Are You Christmas? ~Faith Hill







Thursday's Therapy

Where Are You Christmas?

~Faith Hill







Where Are You Christmas?

~Faith Hill





Where are you Christmas?
Why can't I find you?
Why have you gone away? 
Where is the laughter 
You used to bring me?
Why can't I hear music play? 

My world is changing
I'm rearranging ~
Does that mean Christmas changes too?

Where are you Christmas?
Do you remember
The one you used to know?
I'm not the same one ~
See what the time's done ~
Is that why you have let me go?

Christmas is here
Everywhere, oh
Christmas is here
If you care, oh

If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time

I feel you Christmas
I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of Christmas
Stays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love

Where are you Christmas?
Fill your heart with love











Picture, thanks to ~Wings of Hope-Living Forward

Wednesday's Woe - One Last Christmas ~Matthew West






Wednesday's Woe

One Last Christmas 

~Matthew West






One Last Christmas

~Matthew West


Songwriters: WEST, MATTHEW / GORLEY, ASHLEY GLENN



It's the news that no one hopes for,
Every parent's greatest fear
Finding out the child you love so much
Might not make it through the year
Now the thought of spending Christmas
Without him just feels wrong
They've been praying for a miracle,
Now they're praying he can just hold on

Chorus:
For one last Christmas, one last time,
One last season when the world is right,
One more telling of the story,
One more verse of Silent Night,
They'd give anything so he could have
One last Christmas.

Middle of September
Still seventy degrees
Daddy climbs up in the attic
Brings down candles
Hangs the lights on all the trees,
Then the neighbors started asking
And pretty soon word got around
First it was the neighborhood,
Before too long they lit up that whole town.

Chorus:
For one last Christmas, one last time,
One last season when the world is right,
One more telling of the story,
One more verse of Silent Night,
They'd give anything so he could have
One last Christmas.

Twenty-seventh of October,
His time was wearing thin
Friends and family, even strangers
That they didn't know brought presents in
He was weak but he was smiling
Like there was nothing even wrong
They said he wouldn't make it,
Looks like he got to see it after all

Chorus:
For one last Christmas, one last time,
One last season when the world is right,
One more telling of the story,
One more verse of Silent Night,
They gave everything so he could have
One last Christmas


~~~














Pictures, thanks to grieving mother Darlene Thomas via "~Peace Flash," and ~for those who have been effected by the loss of a child
Grief Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye39mgcHC3E

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas! And, Merry Christmas in Heaven!








Merry Christmas!

And, Merry Christmas in Heaven!









Merry "Ellie" Prince




Ellie and our son Rollin, Ellie's daddy!


We can't wait to see our dollbaby today!!! So thankful for God's rays of sunshine into our broken hearts...

Merry Christmas everyone!


And Merry Christmas to our angels in Heaven, surrounding Jesus's throne, ever enthralled with His love poured out for them that drew them to His side when they were helpless to rescue themselves... So thankful God loved each of them, and each of us, enough to send His Son over 2000 years ago today...


In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.  In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:1-5 (NIV) 
(Some capitalizations, mine)



The Darkness did not overcome our children, all because of Jesus.



Merry Christmas Baby Girl, 

and to all our Angels gone too soon!










Tuesday's Trust - Merry Christmas... without my Merry...?! / Song: Over You ~Cassadee Pope






Tuesday's Trust

Merry Christmas... without my Merry...?!




Over You

~Cassadee Pope



Weather man said it's gonna snow
By now I should be used to the cold
Mid-February shouldn't be so scary
It was only December I still remember
The presents, the tree, you and me

But you went away
How dare you?
I miss you
They say I'll be OK
But I'm not going to ever get over you

Living alone here in this place
I think of you, and I'm not afraid
Your favorite records make me feel better
Cause you sing along with every song
I know you didn't mean to give them to me

But you went away
How dare you?
I miss you
They say I'll be OK
But I'm not going to ever get over you

It really sinks in you know
When I see it in stone

Cause you went away
How dare you?
I miss you
They say I'll be OK
But I'm not going to ever get over you
Ever get over you


~~~~~


Merry Christmas... without my Merry...?!



Merry Christmas, or so they say...
I haven't seen Santa on his sleigh.
The stockings aren't hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon will be there.

Many are cheery, and well they may be...
But here, there are no presents 'round a tree,
For how can a festive Merry Christmas we share
When we can't find our Merry... anywhere?!

And yet with Christmas, presents aren't all there are...
God lifts our hearts a great distance afar,
And There... we see our Merry safely wrapped in His arms,
Happier There than she could ever be amidst this world's charms.

And He reminds me my baby is There you see
Because His own Son came down, then died on the tree...
And so, He lifts our hearts up to Him:
As it's not all about the festive holiday trim.

It's about Love that came down to deliver us
From Sin, Death, and Evil and the Grief that stems from them...
So our hearts need not worry o'er the holiday fuss,
But rather be lifted up in thankfulness as we worship Him!

And so, in many ways our hearts can be merry,
For God restores our happiness since He holds our Merry...

So to all of you we lovingly call:

Have a Blessed Merry Christmas, 
for God loves us all!!!



~~~~~


Words on my daughter-in-law Stephanie's Facebook page today:


"Oh come, Oh 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, Oh Israel!"













Merry Christmas graphic, thanks to grieving mother, Jill Compton + "Christmas is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
Poem - Merry Christmas... without my Merry...?! - Angie Bennett Prince - December 25, 2012
Nativity Picture, thanks to Mia's Photos

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Monday's Mourning Ministry - Merry Christmas, Darling ~Karen Carpenter and the Carpenters







Monday's Mourning Ministry

Merry Christmas, Darling

~Karen Carpenter and the Carpenters









Merry Christmas, Darling

~Karen Carpenter and the Carpenters




Greeting cards have all been sent 
The Christmas rush is through 
But I still have one wish to make 
A special one for you 

Merry Christmas darling 
We're apart that's true 
But I can dream and in my dreams 
I'm Christmas-ing with you 

Holidays are joyful 
There's always something new 
But every day's a holiday 
When I'm near to you 
The lights on my tree 
I wish you could see 
I wish it every day 
Logs on the fire 
Fill me with desire 
To see you and to say 

That I wish you Merry Christmas 
Happy New Year, too 
I've just one wish 
On this Christmas Eve 
I wish I were with you 

Instrumental Interlude 

Logs on the fire 
Fill me with desire 
To see you and to say 
That I wish you Merry Christmas 
Happy New Year, too 
I've just one wish 
On this Christmas Eve 
I wish I were with you 
I wish I were with you 

(Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas 
Merry Christmas - Darling)











Picture, thanks to grieving mother, Jill Compton
Christmas Eve video: http://youtu.be/YR1ujXx2p-I

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Saturday's Sayings - Christmas in Heaven








Saturday's Sayings

Christmas in Heaven  









"GIFTS FROM ABOVE" 
 

They came from different places, they came from different homes. 
These gifts of children from above, that we claimed as our own.


These precious gifts were given with love from God above
Because He thought us worthy to care for these gifts with love.


These priceless gifts were welcomed by parents around the world, 
Celebrating the joys they brought, these tiny boys and girls. 


It amazes us and gives us pause that we were chosen to receive 
These cherished gifts from above - what an honor we believe.


We wonder why our gifts could not stay. 
Could it be they were much too loved? 
These precious gifts of our children 

- Loved, missed and remembered -  
These precious gifts from above.

They left us much too soon, we think. 
And we continue to question, “Why?” 
It does not seem fair to us, 
That our children had to die.


We are left with empty arms and shattered dreams; 
Grief and pain now fill our lives. 
Our homes that once were filled with laughter 
Now harbor our anguished cries.


When finally we emerge from the quicksand of fresh raw grief, 
We start to search for reasons left to live so we can find relief.


We long to hear from others like us with hearts that understand... 
Then someone may tell us of a place where people meet called 
The Compassionate Friends.


There we find a group of people like us joined by the bond of grief and love.
Where we can share together about our children, 
These precious "Gifts From Above". 
 

~ by Faye McCord, TCF Co-Chapter Leader, Jackson, MS ~

In love and dedication to all parents who have lost their precious gifts from above
And in loving memory of my son, Lane McCord (1/16/65 - 9/13/98) 

~shared by Jayne Raines Newton, of The Compassionate Friends of Atlanta






~~~~~






~I Miss Those Close To Me Who Are Now In Heaven As Beautiful Angels 

Christmas Without You


How very much you're missed
I think you somehow know,
For, I feel you beside me
No matter where I go.

To be reminded of you
I don't have to go that far,
For, every night I see your face
In every shining star.

As every moment passes by
Now that Christmas time is here,
I'll be thinking of the joy we shared
At this special time of year.



~~~~~






 ~I Miss Those Close To Me Who Are Now In Heaven As Beautiful Angels 




The holidays can present a whole new dimension of stress for anyone, but particularly for bereaved parents. The "shoulds" can create burdens that we just don't need: how we think we should be feeling, what we should do, who we should spend time with, which events we should attend, how others think we should be acting and believing life should just not be the way it is now. 

Release as many "shoulds" as you can - just let them go, then decide which "shoulds" need to be managed & dealt with - do not let the shoulds become an additional burden. 

Take comfort in memories and the spirit and love of your child and try to honor his/her life in any way that brings you any measure of peace during the holiday season. 

Yes, easier said than done, but I'm trying! 

In memory of my son James....


~Meg Avery of The Compassionate Friends of Atlanta 






~~~~~~






~grieving mother, Judy Russell Altier via Waves of Gratitude


Found on Facebook today:


One of the best Christmas messages I have ever received from another bereaved parent: 

“…we are changed forever, and not unlike Scrooge, 
we are forced to recognize the true meaning of Christmas.

It’s sharing your gifts, not purchasing gifts; 

It’s not wrapping presents, it’s being present 
and wrapping your arms around the ones you love; 

It’s not getting Christmas cards out on time,
it’s sending any card, anytime, at the right time; 

It’s not having the biggest and best Christmas light display; 
it’s displaying the best light that comes from your heart; 

Turn on your heartlight this holiday season…” 



by Mitch Carmody, Kelly & Meagan’s dad and author of Letters to my Son



~shared by grieving mother, Meg Avery of The Compassionate Friends of Atlanta






~~~~~






~Mama Bear Graphics





~~~~~






~grieving mother, Darlene Thomas who shared Stacey Monica Hart's photo





~~~~~






 ~I Miss Those Close To Me Who Are Now In Heaven As Beautiful Angels 



Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38 
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air;
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say; 
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse. 
"This is heaven," declared a small boy.
"We're spending Christmas at God's house."

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their Savior...
The children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same. 
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring;
those children all flew into the arms of their King,

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace, 
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had,
He gently whispered to her,
"I'll take care of mom and dad."

Then He looked down on earth, the world far below; 
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.

Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand, 
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"May this country be delivered from the hands of fools; 
I'm taking back My nation. I'm taking back My schools!"

Then He and the children stood up without a sound. 
"Come now my children, let me show you around."

Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran, 
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight, 
"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."


written by Cameo Smith of Mt. Wolf, PA.






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~grieving mother Jill Compton via Mama Bear Graphics





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~I Miss Those Close To Me Who Are Now In Heaven As Beautiful Angels 





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~I Miss Those Close To Me Who Are Now In Heaven As Beautiful Angels 














Picture at top of post, thanks to ~I Miss Those Close To Me Who Are Now In Heaven As Beautiful Angels