A Winter Hymn

Last year I came across this song in a hymnal I found in the lodge my extended family was staying at in the Poconos. It really touched me, because winter is a difficult time for me. The darkness and cold, past losses and disappointments, and sadness tend to make my heart heavy and spirit sag. The words in this song encouraged me to find the beauty of winter and treasure it as God's love in the cold.

'Tis Winter Now

'Tis winter now; the fallen snow
Has left the heavens all coldly clear;
Through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow,
And all the earth lies dead and drear.

And yet God's love is not withdrawn
His life within the keen air breathes
His beauty paints the crimson dawn,
And clothes the boughs with glittering wreaths.

And though abroad the sharp winds blow
And skies are chill, and frosts are keen
Home closer draws her circle now
And warmer glows her light within.

O God who giv'st the winter's cold
As well as summer's joyous rays;
Us warmly in Thy love enfold,
And keep us through life's wintry days. Amen

Lyrics by Samuel Longfellow, 1864