 |
| Ryan and Sarah Knott make up the musical duo Acoustic Truth |
Christmas is a special time. For me, it is steeped in the
anticipation of the birth of Christ. So much leads up to that day.
Advent is a time of waiting.
I think about the lyrics to Bing Crosby’s “I’ll Be Home For
Christmas.” How many of us are longing for that safe feeling of home?
Last year, I wrote about how many people find Christmas
difficult, because it is associated with pain and loss. This year, a Christian duo
– Acoustic Truth – made me ponder those who long to be home – or to have people
home with them.
 |
| I love this edgy take on our historic square! |
They re-recorded the Christmas favorite and Ryan Knott,
one-half of the married team recorded, edited and produced the music video
(also lending his voice to the song), dedicated to the troops. His wife, Sarah,
is the lead vocalist whose unique voice can’t help but captivate the listener.
I watched the powerful video with tears streaming down my
face.
Waiting.
Acoustic Truth embodied the many aspects of being a military
family – namely in the form of waiting: The great sacrifices that go unspoken,
the lengthy wait to hear word, text messages to assure spouses of safety, FaceTime bedtime stories, letters written in crayon that carry you through
until the next one arrives, the agony of a long-awaited return, the knock on a
door when the full weight of the sacrifice is realized.
And the waiting.
Ryan’s father and grandfather served in the military and so did
his good friend. Because of that, and because of the many active-duty servicemen
and -women and the many veterans they have met, they have a special place in
their heart for them.
When I listen to Acoustic Truth’s song as I watch their
video, I see all of those moments, but I also see the beauty in the lyrics – “I’ll be home for Christmas … if only in my dreams.”
Our servicemen and -women are amazing. They serve selflessly
and give everything they have to protect our country and to do good, but they do
that at a dear cost to their loved ones. However, in those moments, when they
close their eyes, they are transported from the desert or the naval ship or the
fighter jet to a couch with a fuzzy blanket, hugging their children in front of
a warm fire, or an airport where they are reunited with their parents stateside,
or a quiet church, with candles surrounding the nativity, or a dining room
table with extended family circled around and TV trays spilling into the living
room.
Those dreams hold them until the dreams become a reality.
It reminds me of the birth of Christ. The waiting, the
anticipation, the preparation. We wait and we look inward, and we hope. And, on
Christmas morning, we celebrate the great gift that came to us in the form of
Jesus.
It reminds me that there is hope in the waiting.
And, no matter if the dream is being actualized or the dream
is still a beacon of hope or the dream is tinged with heartache, Christmas is a
time when we dream of being home – and Sarah and Ryan captured that perfectly.
 |
| I'll Be Home Christmas |
I had the opportunity to meet up with the duo on the Historic
Woodstock Square. They took the time to take a photo in front of TLS Veterans’
tree in the Opera House. TLS Veterans does so much for military veterans and
the Knotts were impressed – ““It’s a such an awesome expression of God’s
love when people take their time to set up and run food pantries, counseling
groups, dinners, and the shelter and although I know TLS doesn’t do it for
recognition, they are gonna have some major rewards in Heaven,” Ryan told me.
 |
| Acoustic Truth poses in front of the TLS Veterans Christmas Tree in the Historic Woodstock Opera House. |
 |
| I love these two genuine, kind-hearted people who continually put God first and humbly serve in so many ways. |
In the midst of a photo shoot, they spent time with a veteran
friend of mine, graciously accepted his book, and walked around a bit with him.
They even bought him a cupcake at Sugar Circle.
 |
| The duo stopped in at Sugar Circle to enjoy a cupcake with their son ~ and purchased a cupcake for a local veteran as well. |
Their kindness and generosity is genuine and their talent is inspiring. Their CD Impact debuted on iTunes at number three. And their video had 150,000 hits in the first two weeks. They are on the cusp of a recording contract, and they are so deserving of it. Their hearts are in the right place. And their admiration for our military means so much.
This Advent, while I’m awaiting the celebration of Christ’s birth,
I also will be thinking about those who are dreaming of home. We will wait
together …
You can watch Acoustic Truth’s video here.
