The sun hangs low in the sky even while it is only mid-day.
The darkness covers the Earth more each day.
Though the grass is green the air is crisp and smells like snow.
In the Southern hemisphere the daylight grows longer.
Near the equator the length barely changes.
But in the North where I live, the increasing darkness tempts one to give into a sense of being swallowed up.
I am reminded of how Mary and Joseph found no room in the Inn. But that did not deter them from following government orders to go to Bethlehem.
They may not have known they were fulfilling prophecy. But they did know they were following the LORD of All Creation.
This week’s photo reminds me of the old Hymn, In The Bleak Mid-winter. It seems fitting for our day and age as well. We too are in unusual times. Our Creator has ways of leading us that we do not understand, like getting Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in the nick of time for the birth of their baby to satisfy one of the over 360 prophecies about the Messiah that he fulfilled in His lifetime.
Take your time and enjoy the Hymn. Inhale the words. Do not forget to reflect on, and answer, the question at the end.
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.
Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air,
But only His mother
In her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.
