In the Bleak Midwinter and Warm Summer

I confess that when I heard, from the warmth of Santo Domingo, about Albertville getting 3-4 inches of snow, I was a little sad that I had missed a White Christmas. But I also understood the decision to cancel the worship service last Sunday. Folks in this area aren’t used to dealing with this much snow. And it wasn’t safe to drive last Sunday.

It was quite different where I was with Laura and John on Christmas evening, walking along the strand across from our hotel, meringue music all around, families flying kites, and the sun setting over the Caribbean. There was loud passion joy, and warmth all around. It was truly a celebration of God entering into the joys of flesh and bone. And of course, the celebration of Isabella Henderson's Baptism made our time in the bonito Dominican Republic even more special.

Still, like to think of our Lord and Savior being born “In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago.” Of course, it wasn’t snowing on that first Christmas in ancient Judea. But neither was it 70-80 degrees either, like it was in the Dominican Republic.

Carols like “In the Bleak Midwinter,” may seem slow and even sad to some. To me, there is peace in those solemn notes and words. Those notes and words invite us to be quiet and reflect on what it means for God to be with us in all our work and all our thoughts and all our feelings.

The peace of God that exceeds all understanding brings harmony to all the motions of our lives; joy and sorrow become one beautiful note with God’s spirit singing through us. The peace of God that exceeds all understanding brings tranquility when we realize that all things, in time, work together for good for those who love God.

Wherever we are, in snowy Albertville and sunny Santo Domingo, in the summers and winters of our lives, God is with us in heart and flesh. May you find the peace of God in your hearts, wherever you are.