As much as I love the atmosphere of snow during this season, I’ve learned it’s not any more necessary than gifts or decorations. A snowless Christmas can’t take away the symbolism. It can’t erase the story of a baby born to die for our sins. So let it snow, or let it…not snow. I will be grateful for the hope that can thaw the coldest of hearts…a hope that will never melt away.
Photo Credit: Christmas Ornament | Free Stock Photo | A red Christmas ornament …
A forecast of sixty degrees and sunny does not make for a happy Midwesterner come Christmastime. We grow up expecting snow as some sort of holiday birthright, our desire for it so great we’ve made it the theme of several songs—though we must admit it’s somewhat contradictory to string Let it Snow, White Christmas, and I’ll be Home for Christmas in the same playlist. Do we really want another Snowmageddon if we’re trying to hit the roads or catch a flight home? That white Christmas we’re dreaming of might mean we won’t be home for Christmas after all. Although this year, it looks like we’re getting more than what we asked for.
The first Christmas happened so long ago, we can’t say with any certainty whether there was snow or not. Snow is rare, though not impossible, in the region where Jesus was born. And some historians suggest his actual birthday was not a winter event.
Whether or not he was born in winter, I find it to be a fitting season for the symbolism of the holiday. The ground covered in a blanket of white is reminiscent of God’s promise, “though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow.” That’s why Jesus came. And a hero who would live to die for the salvation of the world deserves to be celebrated. I call December 25 Jesus’ birthday observed.
As much as I love the atmosphere of snow during this season, I’ve learned it’s not any more necessary than gifts or decorations. A snowless Christmas can’t take away the symbolism. It can’t erase the story of a baby born to die for our sins. So let it snow, or let it…not snow. I will be grateful for the hope that can thaw the coldest of hearts…a hope that will never melt away.
where are you, God
in the midst of the darkness?
we’re crying to you
in this desolate land
war rages around us
we’re searching for answers
to things
we can never understand
where are you, God
do you see our tears falling?
do you hear our prayers
and feel our pain?
the world is in anguish
our children are dying
the clouds of refreshing
withhold their rain
where are you God?
we’re hurting and hopeless
wounded and broken
and in distress
our own neighbors killing
destroying, devouring
can You bring forth beauty
from our hateful mess?
God, you came down
from light into darkness
born in the shadows
of earth’s darkest night
the forces of evil
releasing their fury
swords bent on destruction
consuming all life
you spoke to the madness
with love and compassion
to ears fallen deaf
in a world filled with strife
brought healing, redemption
though you were rejected
crushed by our hate
while releasing your light
and now you are here
in the midst of our suffering
calling to us
“don’t settle for this”
we’re made for much more
than what we’ve accepted
and this world is not
all that there is
so though earth give way
and mountains shall crumble
and all that we’ve trusted
one day will fail
the curtain’s been torn
between light and darkness
and in the end, light
will always prevail
(originally posted on the Nightlight Blog)
Before we gear up for another trip to the shopping mall, let’s take the time to stop. Breathe. Put those lists down. And consider. What is it our kids truly need?
Photo Credit: Candles, Travel, Vacation – Free images on Pixabay
If stacking up gifts under the tree means racking up credit card debt that will consign us to overtime labor in the coming year, it’s not worth it. Deep down, our kids don’t want to be home alone with things while we slave away at the office just to pay it all off.
Photo Credit: File:The Shops at Georgetown Park.jpg – Wikimedia Commons
‘twas the day of Thanksgiving
and all though the towns
a heart that was grateful
could not be found
the tables were filled
and the people were stuffed
but still they complained
that it wasn’t enough
surrounded by more
than they ever could need
they prepared for Black Friday
to placate their greed
on a day meant for family and memories
instead
they had visions of shopping malls
inside their heads
though it used to be peaceful
they now were consumed
with buying new things
for which there was no room
when they could have been talking
and laughing with friends
they scoured the papers
for sales without end
instead of enjoying
the warm firelight
they froze as they camped
in the stores’ lots all night
and once the doors opened
they pushed and they shoved
and trampled each other
hearts empty of love
they spent and they fought
from midnight ‘til day
for things that in time
they’d just throw away
all blessings forgotten—
thanksgiving erased
now that Black Friday
has taken its place
(originally posted on the Nightlight Blog)
This Thanksgiving season, we’ll be putting a lot of things in our stomachs. The table will be full one moment; our mouths will be full the next. Before we know it, we’ll be more stuffed than the turkey. But before we put all that extra stuffing into our bodies, why don’t we consider what we can put into our thanks?
“Thanks” is something that’s meant to be given. Sometimes it will be easy; sometimes it won’t. It’s easy to be grateful when everything is going as we desire. But what if things aren’t happening just like we hoped they would? What if the “table” is empty of a mouthwatering feast, and filled only with bitter herbs?
In God’s word, we learn that thanksgiving will sometimes be a sacrifice: “…let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15). When we’re going through fiery trials, it can be a challenge to maintain a heart of gratitude. Giving thanks in difficult times may be the hardest thing we’re asked to do, and yet it is the very thing that will help lift the burden of a heavy heart.
When our prayers have not been answered as we expected, or in the timing we hoped for, we can always remember the words of Helen Keller: “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but we often look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” I’ve learned from experience that every closed door leads to a greater open door, and that for every unfulfilled longing a deeper need is met. Knowing this can help us to be grateful even for the closed doors in our lives.
Even if all we have has been taken from us, no one and nothing can take away a heart of gratitude. We can understand the importance of being thankful, but it’s not genuine until we actually GIVE thanks—especially when it’s difficult. This Thanksgiving and beyond, let’s celebrate by putting the giving into our thanks.
(Originally posted on the Tears of Joy blog)
This Life & Beyond 
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