And so it snowed
At first it was just a few flakes, but as the evening went on the intensity increased. The joy that this brought was significant. Flashing smiles, jumps of joy, cries of ‘White Christmas ‘ and that contented glow that rounded off a Boxing Day evening.
Snow always seems to have a significant effect on our emotions. Joy or frustration seem to be the main experiences that are associated with the innocent flakes that fall from the sky. Yet the outcome of the snow fall is always quite magical and very beautiful. Nature seems to have a way of painting God’s creation in silent splendour in such a way that makes things new. The silence that seems to accompany any heavy snow fall is peaceful and in some ways reassuring. Peace on earth brought not by angels announcing good news, but in this case by thousands of flakes that fall silently from the sky.
Walking in the fields that surround our house is always something special when the first snow has settled. The silence and the beauty, the sense of the world standing still and the feeling of peace are all there to be experienced and yet this is in the full knowledge that time will soon pass, the peace will be disturbed, the snow will melt and the earth will be once again exposed.
But one thing has greater durability, one thing can be present what ever the weather or season, one thing is not dependent on the shifting weather fronts and the challenges in forecasting what exactly will happen tomorrow with the weather.
One thing is less tangible, less transient and more durable, durable for eternity.
Psalm 136
136
Give thanks to the Lord because he is good.
His love continues forever.
2
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love continues forever.
3
Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His love continues forever.
As the snow continues to fall and the world is slowly transformed, may the love that lasts also transform our lives and bring the reality of the kingdom to the world in which we live.
