Thanksgiving & Advent – Exhibition 2022
Welcome to the "Thanksgiving and Advent' show. Holidays are fun, full of love and rich in family traditions, but they are driven by reasons reasons we feel thankful and reasons we light candles, give gifts, sing carols. Really the reasons are the roots, and the holidays grow, leaf and blossom year after year because of them. These hidden seasonal drivers are all connected to our Creator and His work. His amazing plans and redemptive purposes inspire worship from thankful hearts.
If you are interested in discussing art with the artists in this show (i.e. explanations about process & meaning, purchases, commissions, etc), please contact the curator at haoyisi2@gmail.com. Thanks for your interest.
Matthew 2:9
By Jean Hurston
..and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
Thanksgiving I: Peace in the Harvest
By Clarabelle Southerland
Peace in the abundance of harvest is the theme of this watercolor. Thank you, Clarabelle, for helping us remember that our peace is nested in God's faithful provision and in the abundance of His grace.
Thanksgiving II: Rejoice in the Lord for He is Good
By Clarabelle Southerland
This autumn tree with fire-red leaves lifts our spirits and reminds us that God is faithful in all seasons of life.
Thanksgiving III: Harvest Joy
By Mike Lane
This painting portrays the Father's care, not only for people, but for all He has made.
Advent, Week 1: Prophecy
By Mike Lane
This abstract seeks to capture the flow of creation, human history, and God's redemptive plan. There is chaos, yes, but there are also the very real shaping and caring purposes of the Father directing the course of human experience towards His maximum glory. The prophets and their profound words regarding the coming Messiah were a key part of this tapestry.
"For unto us a Child is born"
Advent, Week 2: Bethlehem
By Mike Lane
“Road to Bethlehem”
Advent, Week 3: Shepherds
The poem by Dennis Borgerding helps us meditate on the momentary shock and lasting impact of the incarnation on humanity. The Shepherds in their exuberant and very human response to the good news of Christ's arrival is a reminder to us to contemplate the manger with joyful and active worship...
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It is the Best I Can Do for Now
Please sir, do you have any room I have no room for you
Please sir, my wife is great with child
I have no room for you
Please sir, what am I to do?
Maybe you can stay in my stable
It is the best I can do for now.
What is that noise
I have no time for this
Celebration in the middle of the night?
I have no time for this
The rejoicing and yelling is getting louder
Maybe I should go and see
It is the best I can do for now
A baby born in my stable?
I really do not need this
Shepherds all gathered round telling tales
I really do not need this
They tell of angels appearing
I listen in bewilderment
It is the best I can do for now
Angels, shepherds, a new baby
I really do not know what to do
My inn is filled, I have no space
I really do not know what to do
I cannot just leave the baby in the stable
Maybe I can find a small space
It is the best I can do for now
Years later I hear of this baby
I am amazed at what I hear
Going around teaching and healing
I am amazed at what I hear
I listen to the stories and tell
Of the night or when he was born
It is the best I can do for now
He died and rose again
I really do not understand any of this
His disciples telling of salvation
I really do not understand any of this
If one accepts his sacrifice he is saved?
I listen but go on with my life
It is the best I can do for now
Jesus comes looking for me
I have no room for him at this time
He seeks me and loves me
I have no room for him at this time
But then my heart opens with joy
I open up and let him in
It is indeed the best I can do for now
It is Hard, but I Must
It is hard to stay awake
To keep my eyes open
The air is still, the night so quiet The sheep they lay about resting
But I must stay awake, for that is my work
It is hard to see now
To keep my eves open
The heavens are full of light
The glaring, the dazzling
But I must see and know what this is
It is hard to hear now
To keep my ears open
The sounding of trumpet
The blaring, it almost hurts
But I must listen this is something big
It is hard to stand now
One loud voice booming
Booming above the others
A babe it says is born
But I must stand and now even move
It is hard to run
Moving quickly to see a babe
A babe that is to be welcomed
Welcomed by heavenly hosts
Yet laid in a manger
But I must run even faster
It is hard to imagine
This babe in swaddling clothes
This babe will save the world
Will save even me
But I must imagine, this is the truth
It is hard to sleep
After such a night as this
The angels, the babe, the blessings
So much to take in
But I must sleep so tomorrow I can spread the word of what I saw.
Advent, Week 3: Magi
By Mike Lane
“The Sky is Clear”
Advent, Week 4: Angels
By Hannah Joy Jones
“Angels Rejoicing”
Advent, Week 4: Angels
By Clarabelle Southerland
“Angels Singing”
Isaiah 6:9
By Claudia Finn
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Are you an artist interested in creating something to present at our next exhibit?
Please contact Mike Lane at haoyisi2@gmail.com