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Celebrate Winter
Psalms
42:1-11
Why are you cast down, O my soul? . . . Hope in
God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.(Psalms
42:5)
I love living where there
are four seasons. But even though I love settling down with a good book
by a crackling fire when it’s snowing, I must admit that my love for the
seasons grows a little dim when the long gray days of winter drone on
into February.
Yet regardless of the
weather, there is always something special about winter: Christmas!
Thankfully, long after the decorations are down, the reality of Christmas
still lifts my spirits no matter what’s happening.
If it weren’t for the
reality of Christ’s birth, not only would winter be dark and dreary, but
our hearts would be bleak and have nothing to hope for. No hope for the
freedom from guilt and judgment. No hope of His reassuring and
strengthening presence through dark and difficult times. No hope for a
future secured in heaven.
In the winter of a troubled
life, the psalmist asked, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” The remedy
was clear: “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His
countenance” (Ps. 42:5).
In C. S. Lewis’ tales of
Narnia, Mr. Tumnus complains that in Narnia it is “always winter and
never Christmas.” But for those of us who know the God who made the
seasons, it is always Christmas in our hearts!
PRAYER
When our lives are heavy laden, cold and bleak as
winter long, stir the embers in our hearts, Lord; make Your flame burn
bright and strong.Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
In Christ alone lies our comfort.
Christian
Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
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