Winter

What comes to mind when you think of winter? When I think of winter, I’m reminded of the simple joys of childhood: sledding down hills, and seeing icicles hanging from rocks on the road to my grandparents' house at Christmas. And, as an adult, the unforgettable morning in 1995 when 22 inches of snow fell in Wilmore, KY, and snowflakes as big as silver dollars gently drifted from the sky.

Each season holds its own unique beauty, and winter is no exception. This morning, the snow blankets the ground, sparkling in the sunlight, outshining any diamond. The crackling sound and comforting smell of a wood-burning fireplace, along with the warmth and sweetness of a cup of hot chocolate, can make winter feel both cozy and peaceful. Yes, there is undeniable beauty in winter, but it’s a haunting beauty—a beauty that lingers quietly and contemplatively.

Every season presents its challenges, and winter has more than its fair share. It’s a season that can feel threatening. The bare trees stand like skeletal figures against the sky, reminding us of the scarcity and vulnerability that winter brings. The wind can slice through you like a knife, making frostbite a very real concern. The landscape becomes stark and barren, cold and unforgiving.

Winter also brings more darkness than daylight. The long nights and short days can weigh heavily on us. Words like “depressed,” “overwhelmed,” and “the winter blues” come to mind as we experience the heaviness in the air. The constant gray, cloudy skies can leave us feeling numb, sad, and lethargic, sapping our energy and spirit.

However, one of the greatest gifts of winter is the clarity it brings. The air is often crisp and refreshing, and on clear days when the sun shines brilliantly, the world feels expansive, as though you can see forever. In winter, the absence of leaves on the trees allows you to see things that were hidden in other seasons. The landscape, stripped bare, offers a new perspective, clearing the way for both external and internal revelations. Winter’s brutal honesty gives us the chance to see ourselves—and others—more clearly. As the saying goes, “scarcity brings clarity.”

Despite how it may appear, nature is not dead in winter; it is merely dormant, preparing for the renewal of spring. Beneath the surface, life is quietly regenerating, waiting for the moment when it will burst forth again in vibrant new growth.

God is working in winter, even when we cannot fully comprehend the process. He is faithful, shaping something new and beautiful, preparing the world to be made alive again. Winter is not a season of death, but a season of renewal, and in that, there is hope.