Welcome to the gift of an Advent Calendar. I have always loved Advent calendars. When I was little, I just couldn't wait to open each little door and find the surprise waiting there.
Today's gift is a tribute to all the little children who lost their lives in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday.
As we mourn as a nation over the loss of lives in Newtown, we are especially distraught over the loss of such little children.
I drove up to see my Mom in Vermont yesterday, and unlike so many other trips lost in lovely thoughts along the way, I cried most of the ride there. I prayed and asked God to comfort my soul.
One of my favorite prayers is to ask God to take what was meant for evil and turn it into a blessing.
During the drive I was reminded of a sight I witnessed years ago of a beautiful scene in Newmarket, Ontario.
It was snowing that night and I sat by Fairy Lake to admire the Christmas tree in the middle of the lake decorated with Christmas lights. Suddenly in the distance I could see lights coming towards me. As the lights got closer I could make out all the little children holding lit candles and a young woman leading them along the path. I was so taken with the scene that I created this artwork of Fairy Lake.
The image made me think about the little children now in heaven. No one can ever hurt them again, God has dried every tear from their eyes. Although they won't receive the gifts they would have received for the Holidays, the gift that they have been given now, is greater than we can imagine. They will spend this Christmas and an eternity with our Father in heaven. They will be reunited with their loved ones someday.
Suddenly a vision of the children in heaven came into view. I couldn't wait to illustrate the image that comforted my soul. I could see an image of these little children with lit candles following their teacher in heaven to the throne of Our Lord. The more I thought of the children in heaven, instead of the memory of the terrible last moments they spent on earth, I was given a new image.
My gift to you today is an image that I hope comforts your soul too.
I hope that this image replaces the image that makes us weep in grief. I hope that this comforts you the same way that it comforted me yesterday. I am sure that there was a tremendous celebration as these children and the adults that lost their lives last Friday were greeted in heaven.
It's beautiful, Karen.
What a gift - to be able to focus your art on a tribute and a comfort where most of us are struggling to see any light at all. Thank you so much for the image of the little ones and for putting that image into my head - that's your gift and I'm so grateful for it.
Newmarket? We lived near there for many years - Bradford, in the Holland Marsh.
How appropriate is your music choice today my dear. I too believe that these children have received the ultimate gift of an eternal lifetime, to be in the presence of their heavenly father. I can only hope and imagine that they are running, playing, dancing and sitting on HIS lap...oh dear, we are the ones to be pitied, aren't we? Waiting, wondering in obscurity, but then the light of faith comes in and helps us to cope.
You are just the best. Here is to another year of creative expression and friendship, Karen. Anita
Karen, this is a sweet tribute to the precious children tragically taken on Friday. Your illustration does indeed offer peaceful thoughts. Thank you!
A beautiful tribute that brought tears to my eyes Karen. My heart breaks for those families, but you are right, they are walking streets of gold with Jesus. It is a comforting thought.
Oh Karen, how lovely. What a sweet vision you had. Yes, my dear, it is very comforting. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Oh Karen, what a beautiful/sweet tribute to those taken.
Such sadness for us, but they are now with Jesus.
Thanks for your beautiful pictures and comforting words.
Your beautiful gift brought tears to my eyes. You have a generous heart and spirit. God bless you.
I popped over here from Vee's blog, and I am soo glad I did. I LOVED the art, and it WAS quite comforting. All those sweet babies will never again have to suffer the tragedies and hurts of this world. What a wonderful, giving idea for you to do during the month of December too. I love it..,I am a new follower. : ) Enjoy your day!
I'm visiting from Vee's. Thank you so much for creating this beautiful image. It is just what I needed to see right now. So comforting.
~Cheryl
I am visiting from Vees, and I am so glad that I came. The inspiration story from Vermont is wonderful, and the tribute to those precious little ones, now with the Father, is even more so. You used your gift wisely.
Just beautiful.
I loved your tribute to the children iof Newtown, Karen. It was very comforting to invision them as you described after so much sorrow this past weekend. Thak you for your beautiful art work!
Vee sent me this link this morning in an email...thanks so much for sharing. I am a mother of a six year old and this one has been very hard. I know the Lord and know the truths and know they are dancing before the throne...I also know we weep with those that weep and mourn with those that mourn. So thanks for the comfort you shared.
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