A Cold Winter's Night

By Cathy Irvin

Are you looking for Jack Frost to coat the earth with icy glitter these days? Or perhaps you want a white blanket of snow to cover over the world. Many people dream of a white Christmas. I personally want one snow day when I am sure I can stay inside, curled up with coffee or hot chocolate.

Winter is my least favorite time of the year; although I like one or two cold nights of shopping to breathe in that fresh, cold air.

I go out on cold nights to see the lights during the Christmas season. I remember two Christmas's past when I took my great-granddaughter out to see the lights in the neighborhoods. We got out and walked to a few houses and eventually she had to be picked up.

She said, "Tired!"

Then I said 'We better get in the car."

I asked her if she was cold. After all, she had on gloves, a hat, coat and warm pants. She pointed to her nose. Yes ole Jack Frost was nipping at her nose that night.

One winter, I spent time in Toronto, Canada. It was the only time I loved the winter and the snow. You could reach out and touch the snow and it was dry! I was so surprised. I went downtown on a subway and was glad to get out and walk on the streets and into the stores. I couldn't believe it was not wet snow and that the air felt crisp but not icy cold. I imagined Jack Frost must not visit them there.

My friend and I recently talked about that first Christmas when Christ was born. I wondered what it was like. Was it really cold? Was it snowing? Did Jack Frost appear on the scene? Imagine Jesus as a tiny baby out in the elements of the night in an open stable, lying on straw with only a cloth blanket to keep him warm.

I know that He chose to come to earth in the way He did. When I consider Him who endured so much plus the ridicule of mankind, I am determined to keep Christmas alive in my heart every day of the year. I can endure any icy cold winter days and nights knowing that Jesus paid such a price for me.

In the song The First Noel we know the shepherds heard the angel's story and followed a star to where our Savior was in a manger. He was in a stable because there was no room anywhere for Him. The shepherds looked up and saw a star shining bright on that cold winter's night.

Noel! Noel! Born is the King of Israel! Let's make room for Him in our hearts this Christmas.

Christmas Devotion

A Cold Winter's Night

By Cathy Irvin

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