World is quiet, holding her breath as the clouds begin to form-
twisting and twirling the flakes dance down,
in this winters first snow storm.
Hearts fill with wonder, heads lift to heaven,
the brown earth begins to turn white-
we laugh and we smile for once again-
all is calm and all is bright.
The first snowfall. It doesn’t feel like Christmas without it.
This last week I visited my baby niece in Boston and was there to witness not only her first snowfall of the season-
but the first snowfall of her life!
She’s only six months old, but she knew what was falling from the sky was different than the rain she’d experienced. Her big blue eyes opened wide in rapture, nose scrunching and eyes squinting, batting her long dark eyelashes as the snowflakes landed on them.
Her parents, my brother and sister-in-law, though aware of the snow falling, were more focused on their daughter than they were on the snow.
Little Mary was full of wonder, which in turn- filled us, with joy.
Like the first snowfall, this time of year is full of magic. And just like I experienced with my niece, each year gives us the opportunity to share that magic with others.
And in so sharing- we find joy ourselves.
But maybe the snow no longer makes you marvel. Maybe when you see it you’re just reminded of careless drivers and the ache in your shoulders you’ll feel after shoveling your driveway. Take a step back and look at it from a child’s eyes, laughing as they rush to pull on their snow pants and dig their sleds out of the garage. Through their joy, you can experience once again the enchantment of the season.
The wonder of Winter. The beauty of Christmas.
We find joy by choosing to find joy.
We believe not by seeing, but see, by believing.
I know not every Christmas feels magical. Some Christmases are heavy. Some are snowless. Some are lonely.
But each year presents the opportunity to create magic for others, to see the world through their eyes and to share in their joy, just as Jesus did so many years ago when he was born into a dirty manger, surrounded by barn animals, to parents who were poor and world that was divided.
Despite the circumstances around him, he brought with him
“peace, goodwill to men,“ that never fades and never grows dim-
even after the snow melts, the lights are put away and the Christmas tree is taken down.
“I’m dreaming of a White Christmas,
just like the ones I used to know….”
Every year we croon the words of that song, longing for a world of white. But more than that, we long to experience a joy and peace that never dies.
But that joy and peace isn’t found in the snowflakes.
That joy and peace isn’t found in the cookies or carols.
That joy and peace is found in Christ and is a free gift for all who’ll receive it, when we simply believe- and then share it with others.
Your niece is so cute!!!
Yes she is!!! 💓☺️
Thank you Emily! What a precious outlook you have! And also, we might add , a precious niece! As 75 and 82 year olds, It’s good to be reminded of the joys of the season! Thank you!