“Mom, what are we going to do if it doesn’t snow by Christmas?” my eight year old son Kedar asked wide-eyed with a sense of urgency in his voice.
He waited for my answer as if I had the “snow police” on speed dial and could send them out to apprehend whoever had hijacked the white stuff.
You see, we live in Buffalo, New York, which sits on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and is known for its heavy lake-effect snow every year. Our blizzards make national headlines and a white Christmas is something Buffalonians pretty much take for granted.
Winter snow is the rule and not the exception.
So when I peered out of the window early this morning and saw only light rain descending from the sky and not a single flurry anywhere, it seemed odd.
All the beautiful glistening Christmas lights and decorations lining the houses along our street appear somewhat naked without the icy alabaster blanket covering them.
Even the temperature, though cold, is hovering somewhere around the mid-thirties to low-forties here—a virtual heat wave this time of year in our neck of the woods. That means any snow flurries that do fall probably won’t stick.
So the fact of the matter is, unless something changes between now and Sunday, we’re likely in for a snow-less Christmas.
Earlier in the week, all of the Hobbs children were primarily concerned about the possibility that I wouldn’t be well enough to enjoy the Christmas festivities with the rest of the family.
You remember that “mild cold” I blogged about on December 16? Well, it grew into something not-so-mild, which is why you haven’t heard from me since that day. Those symptoms became ten times worse and I ended up flat on my back. Though I’m still a little achy, I feel a whole lot better now. I believe the worst of it is over, thank God!
But now that the kids see my condition improving, all their focus is on their dwindling hope for a significant snow fall by December 25.
Nevertheless, snow or no snow, we will spend Christmas giving thanks for Jesus who wrapped Himself in an earth suit, dwelt among us, and gave His life so we could be redeemed back to the Father.
Snow or no snow, we will give gifts and show love because Christ demonstrated the greatest love of all by giving the greatest gift of all, His own life.
Let me make it personal.
Snow or snow, nothing can stop an overwhelming flood of worship from enveloping my whole being, causing me to fall to my knees in awe of the grace and compassion of our great God.
Snow or no snow, tears, songs, and expressions of gratitude will flow out of me because God gave up His own son, His only son, His beloved son, for you. For me. For us all.
Wow.
Just pause and meditate on that for a moment.
Although I would love to have ideal circumstances on Christmas day, which, for our family, means snow, the absence of it does not in any way diminish the beauty of the season.
It's not about the snow, or anything else you or I lack. It's all about Christ.
And for those of you reading this blog post that are going through less-than-ideal circumstances right now, this cup of inspiration has been prepared especially for you today. Don’t let whatever it is rob you of your joy or your pure heart of thanksgiving.
Still be grateful through it all.
To remind you to remain thankful, I’m adding 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT to your cup of inspiration. It says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup, despite the trials you may be facing in your life, you will give God thanks and praise anyway. You will meditate on Jesus Christ and your deep appreciation for Him being born to die to save a wretch like you and me.
Snow or no snow.
Rain or no rain.
Tears or no tears.
Pain or no pain.
In everything, give thanks.
It is the will of God.
It is your gift to God for the gift of His son.
Merry Christmas to you.
Now let’s pray.
Lord, I want to thank You for this opportunity to give thanks for the life of Your son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for the sacrifice You made to redeem my soul from death. Today, instead of being overwhelmed by whatever negative circumstances may surround me, I will let worship, birthed out of a deep sense of gratitude, overwhelm me. For You, Oh King of Kings and Lord of Lords, are worthy of all my praise and thanks. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
