But Christmas snow is more than magical to me. There’s a spiritual quality about it. Softly and silently it covers the last of the rusty old leaves in the gutters and curbs, the stained driveways and the potholed roads. Similarly, it seems to cover all the pain and disappointment of the past year, sending the heavenly message, “See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:19)
The year my husband and I lost both our moms we had great hopes for Christmas snow. Could it obscure those lingering, haunting memories of their last days on earth and leave only the good ones? Could it bring back my little-girl memories of making snow ice cream with my mom in our kitchen in Tennessee? Could it remind my husband of coming into his Colorado home, his mittens frozen from building snowmen, to his mom’s steaming hot cocoa with marshmallows?
Could it even bring us memories of my mom arriving at our frosty airport in her smart tweed suit, or of his mom coming up the snowy walk for Christmas dinner in her red coat, a bowl of homemade cranberry sauce in hand? We don’t question their joyful existence now near the heavenly “storehouses of the snow” (Job 38:22), but this time of year we sure miss our moms.
On Christmas morning we will celebrate the fact that God, in His great love for the people He created, sent His only Son to live among us, breathe our air, and close the gap sin created between us and God for eternity. If the fresh, white snow arrives, it will remind me that someday, only because of the grace and mercy God bestows on me, I will stand before Him in a spotless robe as white as snow. (Rev. 7:9-14)
The Christmas snow may come this year. If so, will you let it speak to you? Have a blessed and merry Christmas.
Yes and yes and YES – missing my mom, love the Christmas snow AND knowing that one day ALL things will be made new & fresh & spotless like new fallen snow!!
Look forward to seeing one another in our white robes, Lea Ann!
I remember the thrill of making snow cream growing up in Tennessee too, Nancy! There are certain of those childhood memories that will be with us forever and thankfully so. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Nancy, and may 2016 hold wonderful moments to remember forever as well.
Lovely message, Nancy. For me, what snow covers–and what it reminds us of after a loss–has a personal correlation with what God provides. My grandmother died in December when it was cold and gray but there hadn’t been any snow yet. The memorial was held several weeks later when more of the grandchildren and their families could attend. We arrived on a Friday, and we awoke the next morning to 5″ of fresh snow. After the memorial we did what Grandma had done for us as children; we made snow ice cream!
What a beautiful memory, Marylin. Thanks for sharing it. Merry Christmas!!
Love you Nancy! Have a great Christmas (and snow if it comes) and thank you for reminding me that God always brings us beautiful messages in this life.
Thank you, Carol. Love and Merry Christmas to you!
Love this. Thanks!