Winter magic

Icy frills

Frosted lace

On window sills

Brisk and cold

North winds blow

Promising 

The gift of snow

Swirling flakes

Of purest white

Covering 

Familiar sights

Crystal color

Bright and clear

Frozen wonder

Resting here

Clothing all

The earth below

Blanketing its 

Injured soul

God in all

His majesty

Will awake

All that's asleep

For now He smiles

Through frigid wind

Sculpting beauty

As He sends

Waves of chilly

Sugared scenes

Showing His 

Sheer artistry

I'm thankful for

Variety

Though the cold

Can bite and sting

At His glory

I will gaze

And await

Amazing grace

Take me back to days of old

Simple laughter, fields of gold

Days when freedom offered more

Wings expanded, set to soar

Life in color, pure delight

Running feet, heart in flight

Endless dreams before my eyes

Hoped for rainbows, loved surprise

Songs were rising in my chest

All life's promise at its best

How the memories haunt me now

As if I don't remember how

To raise my face up to the sky

Leaving trials far behind

Lord, teach me again, I pray

How to fly, how to brave

The raging winds of age and time

Disappointment, cold, dark nights

Let me find Your gracious glance 

Let me find new feet to dance 

Grant me time and give me more

To be the soul I was before

Let the music deep inside

Resound again, multiplied

Let me see in each sunset

Sweet images I can't forget

Let my path lead across

Those who've hearts have suffered loss

Let my light again, shine bright

Let me do all that I might

Help me find Your hidden treasures

Freely given, without measure

Keep me strong when I grow weak

Vision when my eyes can't see

Help the sad times hurry past

Let the good times slowly last

Give me courage, make me strong

To return where I belong

O precious Lord, I pray to Thee

Above all else, let me be me

Several years ago, I decided to give my family new pillows for Christmas.  As I was trying to think of a creative way to wrap them, something popped into my head.  The more I worked on it, the more silly things got until I had....the Pillow People!  The reason I shared this?  Ha ha ha.   Just because!

These kind of photos make my senses come to life!  I can smell fresh pine and want to reach out and touch one of those delicate water droplets!  Though the needles have points, I can almost feel their suppleness between my fingers.  I really want to break off a piece and hold it close to my nose to get the full Christmasy aroma!  The green color is rich and earthy, and I can almost imagine standing under many of these dripping majestic giants breathing in the scents of a damp forrest floor.

Creation has an incredibly powerful life-giving effect.  Every nerve ending inside me wants to stand at attention and salute the Maker of all things beautiful.  My heart wants to sing and declare that what God has done is good!  I believe we were made to herald His wonders.  As the beautiful ancient carol's words proclaim,

"Joy to the world! The Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King;  

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and heaven and nature sing."

It seems that all of heaven and nature point to the Source of love and life!  Jesus...a very part of the Father Himself...sent to earth to redeem back what a very real enemy had attempted to steal.  His life, the most radiant reflection of God Himself was offered to man so that we could "see" the heart of the Father; so we could touch, feel, taste, hear and truly experience what love really is!  

The pine trees?  Just one of thousands of reflections of Him.  

Jesus?  The ultimate gift - God coming to earth!  

Christmas has always been such a favorite time of year for me.  I'm not even sure why it has been so special, except that my mom had a love for it, and my parents always somehow made it a wondrous occasion.  We didn't have a lot....we were simple folks, frugal and rather creative.  We all had interests in music, art and crafty things.  My mom made many of our clothes and the family was raised on home cooking, spending many weekends with grandparents and extended family in small towns and farm settings.  I enjoyed my childhood and felt very happy and adjusted even when life's curve balls came my way.  

Of course many years and three children (who are now adults) later, life has definitely offered plenty of experiences and challenges.  There have been joys as I have journeyed through the years.  There have also been heartaches...some that have not had resolution.  Growing into middle age brings tiredness, physical issues and the realization that we do not get a second chance in many of these things.  There are days when I have felt more like a used rag doll needing to hug a puppy than a strong, vibrant life-hugging individual. 

I looked at this picture today.  It was colorful.  It was Christmas.  And, it was a rag doll - a smiling rag doll.  There beside those dolls - a puppy....  Is it possible I'm not the only one who has felt the blows of life?  Is it possible that there is hope beyond the battlefields of the years?  Is it possible that even yet  in this life there might be some smiles and "Christmas" for this "rag doll"?  

I will ever believe that the multi-radiant God who created us is able to also "color" us with refections of Himself in a way that is sufficient to share heaven's smiles and lift earth's hearts.  If you too are struggling to raise your tired head or perhaps looking for missing joy, I will encourage you to hug that puppy and find the Christmas that still holds promise and color.  Jesus did, in fact come to earth, and remains the reason we celebrate good tidings of great joy.  He specializes in bringing smiles - and puppy-sized hugs to rag dolls.  

I know, I know....winter can be cold here in the midwest.  I realize that it can even be dangerous.  But how I love those extremes.  I love variety.  I love the excitement of winter snow and the icy wonderland that happens during those magical frosty days and nights.  I love the unpredictable.  I love the crunch beneath my boots when I walk through a fresh snow and the glitter of the sun dancing across the glistening ground.  I love the sound of silence and the smell of damp, cold precipitation of the whitest kind!  I love pine needles mounded with cottony crystals.  I love snow ice cream and scarves and mittens.  I love sleigh rides and thick blankets and a reason to build a fire.  I love hot chocolate and laughter and brittle toes.  I love Christmas!  I love gathering and gifts and cookies baking in the oven.  I love a warm home and friends and family sharing stories and smiles.  I love traditions and truths about our Redeemer who entered the world as a humble, tiny baby.  I love music and carols and bells, and nutcrackers and circus peanuts in a stocking.  I love cinnamon sticks and the glow of candles in a window sill.  I love how bright the stars are at night and the briskness in the air.  I love surprises and visits and children's voices and tenderized hearts.    

Sorry winter-haters!  I couldn't help myself.....