This time of year can be tedious for some. Christmas is over, the celebration is over and the lights come down. What comes next is deluge of snow and rain that turns the landscapes into either in to white wonderland or hills as green as Ireland. If skiing and “singing in the rain,” aren’t your thing, these months can make you blue. But that is not how it has to be! Winter can be a wonderful time, and here is how. While it seems cliche, going for a walk in the snow or light rain can be very comforting, the air is very crisp and pure. During these solitary walks is a great time to contemplate and spend time with Christ through enjoying his creation and nature. You can pray or talk casually with the Lord as you navigate His Creation or just enjoy the quiet, “Be still (cease striving), and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." (Psalm 46:10).
Another great use of this wintry lull, is to study Scripture, read devotionals, peruse literature, poetry and history books. In the confines of a warm home with a hearth, hotel, or hall of a library, you can read the without sacrificing those sunny days in Spring and Summer. Winter with its elements can assail the body and weaken it, but you can see to your spiritual strengthening as you sip hot coco (or kafe) while you studying Scripture.
One of my favorite passages of Scripture is set during Winter:
“Then came the Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah) at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ (Messiah), tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
“We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’m? If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” And in that place many believed in Jesus.” (John 10:22-42). In this wintry passage our Lord Jesus Christ reveals that we His sheep shall receive eternal life and sets up the Eternal Security that we can never be “snatched out of His hand.” So while General Winter may get you down, our Lord and God Jesus Christ promised during this season that we shall never be plucked from His hand or the hand of the Father. In addition, should the winter blues still prevail, remember the mob tried to stone our Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:31), so He knows winter blues (threat of black and blues) and can intercede for you, “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us,” (Romans 8:34), and “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
This cold time of year need not be depressing. We can Carpe Diem with Christ who helps us do all things, “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13). This does not mean living in denial, if you have the blues then vent them in prayer and to a friend. But if you can try to shake free of the freeze and enjoy this time of year. Amen.
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