Prepare the Way for the Lord!

Brent and I have both been fighting nasty sore throats and colds. Yesterday I stayed home from work, even, because I was feeling so awful. But I was feeling a bit better at night and we were able to attend a dinner concert that we had been looking forward to for at least a month: My Dad's choir concert at Evergreen Ministries.

We had a Dornbush family table filled, and joked that Brent and I were probably the youngest ones there. But it was such a blessing and a great way to prepare my heart for the celebration of the coming of our Savior. The night started with these verses from Isaiah 40:3-4 "A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain."

Those verses were especially meaningful to me because with my youth group (Teen Bible Challenge Team) we're studying the book of Luke this year, and recently finished the first couple chapters in which John the Baptist references these words of Isaiah "to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:17)

It just reminded me again of the significance of Christ's coming to this earth and the music and scripture in the concert last night were such a great way to prepare my heart for this Advent & Christmas season. It was so fun to be together with all of my siblings, too, except Kath. She asked us to share with her about our experience, which helped me realize how special and meaningful it was.

Definitely the funniest part of the night, hands-down, though, was Dad's rap song! In the middle of the concert, they did a group of fun Christmas songs like "Jingle Bells" and Dad's group did a rap song, with Dad taking the lead! Who would have thought Dad could rap!? We nick-named him "Snoop Dad!" :)

The final part of the night was some more "reverent" songs, all proclaiming the Savior's birth, telling of the angels singing, shepherds & wise men coming to bring gifts. They did such a beautiful job of keeping Jesus as the focus and really helping the audience experience that this story is TRUE and Jesus really IS the center. It left me with such a sense of awe of our Savior and wondering what gift I can give Him this Christmas.

Thanks, Mom & Dad, for a great night! We are so blessed by how you have always taught and modeled for us that Jesus is the reason... not just for the season... but for everything!

Incidentally, "Snoop Dad" was working on "Snoopy Dog" in the snow today. Yes, Snoopy still lives! For those of you in the area that want to see Snoopy, he no longer lives on Taft Street... his winter home is now in the Royal Park Condos. :)