Minister’s Column…

What strange weather this is for late November, as I write this – thick fogs and rain morning and night. It reminds me of the deep moors and barrens of England and Ireland at dusk. You almost expect to see the Cheshire Cat smile from a fog shrouded tree on lonely evenings. Where is the soft white blessing of snow that had already socked us hard by this time last year? The trees are leafless, except for the hardy few, and the branches’ tracery etched against misty skies. Thanksgiving, our one peoples holiday, pledged to no remembrance of war or partisan faith, is past when this Tidings arrives. And Christmas, Hannukah, Solstice, Kwanza and Eid al Adha are just ahead before the turning of the year. Doubtless we will all be tired of snow by that time, and counting the extra minutes each day till Spring.

Don’t lose the gift of winter, and the magical holidays. I remember the snows of childhood so deep that the snow packed into the tops of knee high boots in icy rings. It was fun tracking the rabbits who crossed the yard, wondering what those other, larger tracks were, and hearing the birds muttering in the thick fir trees. The snow made strange monsters of familiar objects and the contents of milk bottles grew up by inches in the freezing cold. Snowforts and anatomically correct snow people were great fun, and angels in the snow. Every bit as important were the hot cocoa and grahams that followed as we wrapped in scratchy blankets and watched the mittens, hats and coats drip and dry on the radiators.

The symbols of the season are mostly green, the evergreen color of life. The wreaths are round with the circle of earth, the seasons and the heavens. The candles stand for warmth, and light and welcome. They are symbols of hospitality inviting friends and strangers in from the cold. These are ancient symbols reaching back farther than the holidays we celebrate today – gifts of the long struggle of humanity for symbols of hope, grace, life and peace. Most of our children and my sister have made the holidays a time to give to others by serving in soup kitchens and shelters. Don’t lose the magic of this time. Curl up before a blazing fire (don’t try this without a fireplace) and tell again the old, old stories – the family ones and the stories of faith that you hold in your hearts. Rejoice and renew your spirits. Join us for our Christmas services.

Merry Christmas, Joyous Holidays and a Grand New Year! Rev. Dave Johnson