A Challenge And A Gift: The Story Behind God Is Coming
Photography by Liesl Claire Photography, https://lieslclairephotography.com/
I am fortunate to have grown up in a home that valued meaningful traditions. My Mom, in particular, was always intentional about making events and holidays special.
Christmas was my favorite. We had a “Jessie’s Tree” growing up - a simple felt Christmas tree banner that my Mom made. Every day from December 1 through 25 she would read to us from a well-worn little booklet, a verse and a little story from the Bible and then let us kids take turns putting the felt ornament for the day on the tree. We loved it!
When I become a mom, I wanted to carry on this tradition of making the season leading up to Christmas meaningful. Like my mother, it wasn’t just about the magic and fun of Christmas, it was about actually building in my children a sense of excitement and anticipation for the enormous miracle that Christmas represents - the God of the universe coming down to set things right between himself and his children!
So I searched high and low for something meaningful to use as a tool during this season. I found many cute things, many felt things, many paper and chocolate and ornament things, but nothing that felt solid enough for such an important time. What I ended up conceiving of was a physical object — an heirloom-quality piece that would engage children and remain in the family for generations. But interestingly that object is a story for a later date.
Once I’d conceive of the object, I realized that I needed the story to go with it. I then looked high and low for a written advent piece that was both accessible to children and beautiful, that was simple yet still captured the weight and magnitude of the incarnation. Once again, I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for. So, with some trepidation, I set about what felt like an impossible task. I was going to write 25 stories that told of God’s creation, promise, and coming. They needed to be Biblically accurate, engaging for children, applicable to adults, and I decided to write them in rhyme and meter… again, impossible.
These 25 poems came together slowly over the course of 3 years, between the care and keeping of children and day jobs and community. The act of writing them was a kind of sacred offering I will treasure forever. And out of it emerged this book — a gift to my children and an act of obedience.
GOD IS COMING is simply poetry intended to be read aloud. Each poem is short and accessible and yet honest about Scripture and the complexities of life. This is why it felt right to release it this year. Now more than ever we need a reminder of why we have hope. God is coming! No matter what your world looks like right now, God sees and knows and He Is Coming! As you anticipate the holidays, may you remind yourself and your children during this season of the age-old truth. God is coming!
Photography by Liesl Claire Photography, https://lieslclairephotography.com/