A Cold Winter's Night

Are you looking for Jack Frost to sprinkle the earth with some icy glitter these days, or perhaps you want a white blanket of snow to cover over the world? I know so many people dream of a white Christmas. I personally only want one snow day when I am sure I can stay inside, curled up with a hot chai latte, coffee, or hot chocolate.

Winter is my least favorite time of the year anyway, although I like maybe ONE OR TWO cold nights to go out shopping to get that fresh air in my lungs.

I purposely go out on a cold night to see all the lights during the Christmas season. I remember two Christmas’s past when I took my great granddaughter out to see the lights in the neighborhoods. We got out and walked to a few houses and eventually she had to be picked up. She said, “Tired”! Then I said we better get in the car and asked her if she was cold? She had on gloves, a hat, coat and warm pants, but she pointed to her nose.

Yes ole Jack Frost was nipping at her nose that night.

About 12 years ago I was in Toronto, Canada, and it was the only time I loved the winter and the snow. You could reach out and touch the snow and it was dry. I was so surprised. When I went downtown on a subway I was glad to get out and walk on the streets and into the stores. I just couldn’t believe it was not wet snow and that the air felt crisp but not icy cold. I imagined Jack Frost must not visit them there.

My friend and I discussed just the other day about that first Christmas when Christ was born. I wondered what it was like if it was really cold, or was it even snowing? Did Jack Frost appear on the scene? Imagine Jesus as a tiny baby out in the elements of the night in an open stable, lying on straw with only a cloth blanket to keep him warm?

I know that He chose to come to Earth and lie in a manager and when I consider Him who endured so much plus the ridicule of mankind I am determined to keep Christmas alive in my heart every moment of every day of the year. I can endure any icy cold winter days and nights knowing that Jesus paid such a price for me.

In the song The First Noel we know the shepherds heard the angel’s story and followed a star to right where our Savior was lying in a manger, in a stable because there was no room anywhere for Him. The shepherds looked up and saw a star shining bright on that cold winter’s night.

Noel! Noel! Born is the King of Israel! Let us too make room for Him in our hearts this Christmas.

Copyright © Cathy Irvin, used with permission.