Connections: Christmas and Winter

“The grass withers and the flowers fall,

       but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8)

“But if I go to the east, he is not there;

       if I go to the west, I do not find him.
 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;

       when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
 But he knows the way that I take;

       when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:8-10)

“Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.”           ~ Letter VIII, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis


It’s Christmas Day! Rejoice, for God is with us!

Have you ever stopped to consider how curious it is that the greatest celebration of our faith takes place in the dead of winter? There are many curious historical reasons for this (which I highly encourage you to look up, should you have the chance), but I find the spiritual aspect to be just as enlightening.

Humans are seasonal beings. In our faith lives, we joyfully revel in the spring blossom of praise, find strength and resolve in the summer blaze of the Holy Spirit, discover peace and harmony in the autumn quiet of meditation, and withstand fear and temptation in the chilly winter of doubt.

Ponder a spiritual winter you’ve felt in your own life. As the bitter unworldly cold sets in, optimism becomes difficult. A Godsong that once rang out in your heart falls silent. A passion once fiery all but winks out. Nearly defeated by a fatigue you feel to your core, you trudge onward. Spring seems an eternity away.

But take heart! The Lord never leaves us in this state longer than we can endure. He liberates us with a single great proclamation—one we have heard countless times in this season:

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

As we gather close to family and friends to celebrate the birth of Christ and the beginning of a new year, may we be rejuvenated and given the strength and resilience to stand fast in His Word for many seasons to come.

Merry Christmas!