The Creator's Snow Day

 

 1.Praise the Lord for the joys of winter,

praise the Lord for a world transformed,  

 

praise the Lord for the trees and houses adorned. 

Praise the Lord for snowy angels, praise the Lord for the chance to play

praise the Lord for this  heavenly display.

Praise the Lord for our children’s laughter,

praise the Lord for their sleds on hills, 

praise the Lord for their rosy cheeks, for tumbles and for spills.

Praise the Lord for the game of hockey, blades on ice let us fly with ease, 

gifts of sport made to cheer us and to please.

                                     Winter Joys - lyrics Shirley Porter, tune: Natalie Sleeth's hymn 

Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet (Voices United 245)  

Saturday evening we decided to play hooky from Sunday morning worship because of the weather. It wasn't that forecast was bad -- we aren't readily deterred by snow -- but because it was just what we have pining for during this "winter" season. The time around Christmas was so dreary with days of fog and grey skies. The past few days have been what we might consider a cold snap, as brief as it's been. Yesterday called for an early morning temperature of -17C and clear skies.

We set off early for Bon Echo Provincial Park, northward but accessible from our Lake Ontario community. We arrived around 9:30 and for the rest of the morning had the place to ourselves. For the first time in this season we clicked into our cross-country skis and found our way to Mazinaw Lake and the marvellous cliffs which are adorned with Indigenous pictographs. We have skiied to the cliffs in past years but didn't trust the ice for the crossing after so much mild weather. 

Along the way we found a bench by the edge of the ice, facing the sun, and cleared off the snow for a half-hour sit in the blessed silence -- no human sounds whatsoever. We shared a thermos of tea and Ruth's cranberry muffins in a time of communion where we gave thanks to the Creator. We spoke briefly about this privilege, given the chaotic state of our world, which we didn't want to take for granted. 

                                               Ruth by Mazinaw Lake, always ready for the adventure 

When we suited up for the trip into the park we wondered how many layers to wear. given the cold. By the time we got back to our vehicle I could hardly wait to peel some of those garments off because I was so warm. Ruth expressed her delight in the clear, cold, clean air that we had been breathing in amidst the pine trees. 

I'm sure worship inside would have worthwhile, but worship outside on such a rarity of a day was sublime. The  next two weeks have rain in the forecast and plus celsius temperatures. Was that it for real winter in our neck of the woods? I hope not. 

Later in the day I saw a MEC ad enthusing about Sunday January 21st as World Snow Day. We had no idea there was such an occasion but it turned out we had enjoyed it to the fullest and we willingly gave credit to the God of ice, and snow, and the best kind of runny noses. 

Once again I've included the lyrics to a winter hymn written by sister-in-law Shirley. 

2. Praise the Lord for the fun of snow forts, purple shadows at day’s end, 

joys of winter help our spirits mend.

Praise the Lord for our walks through woodlands,

creatures leave their footprints there,

 God’s creation marks the snow with care.

Praise the Lord for the squeak of footsteps on the freshly fallen snow, 

Praise the Lord for windows etched with frosty white tableau.

Praise the Lord for the time of winter, time to sing and time to play,

Praise the Lord every season, every day!

                                      Winter Joys - lyrics Shirley Porter, tune: Natalie Sleeth's hymn 

Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet (Voices United 245)