I had the honor and blessing of getting to illustrate this year’s children’s Christmas book that our church will give away during our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight service. What Christ Brings is the third of these books that I’ve had the opportunity to be part of and each experience has been so unique for me due to the season of life I’ve been in.
In this current season, my hands (and heart) are full with homeschooling our three children. While that created slightly more obstacles and less alone ‘focused’ time to work, I couldn’t help but be pulled into the truths that fill the pages of this book that our Music Minister, Eric Wall wrote. The book walks the reader through the themes of the Advent season: hope, peace, joy and love, ending with what Christ ultimately brings which is truth and salvation. These are powerful promises that we can choose to always carry with us, not only as we turn our gaze to Jesus in the waiting and anticipation of the Advent season but throughout all of our days. This was such a fitting reminder to myself as I walk through each day guiding, teaching and trying to model truth for my own children.
As I illustrated, I meditated on scripture that points to our Good Shepherd, abiding in the Vine, and Jesus being the Light of the world. Woven throughout the book there is a tree that Eric and I have dubbed the ‘continuity tree,’ representing the solid foundation we have in the Word. Seasons, time and circumstances will ultimately change, but His truth is deeply rooted. It is unchanging and unwavering. Psalm 1 says “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
So whether we are entering the Advent season or just facing a random Monday, I pray we would rest and take delight in the hope, peace, joy, love, truth and salvation that Christ brings. It is there for the taking!
What do you need to release to the Lord so you can experience the fullness of what He brings?
Meet the Author!
Megan Mathews is a former art teacher who now fills her days with teaching and loving on her three children. She enjoys using her art background on various design projects. Megan adores time with her husband, Sundays with her family, good coffee and cuisine, quiet moments in creation, and making memories with her littles.