Let it snow...I guess...

Well, after a week or two of subzero temperatures and ice and snow, I think I can safely say that I strongly dislike winter in the city. It seems so cozy when you are all tucked into a house in the woods, and the snow is actually white. Here, people still go 70 miles per hour, barreling through inches of gray, wet, dirty snow and ice, and I don't think I can remember a time when I didn't spin out at an intersection or fishtail when turning onto the road to my house. Ahhh, winter.

However, I do have to be grateful. I am warm at night, I have amazing friends, and I get to see my family for more than 24 hours this weekend. A lot of us have so much in this world and don't even realize it. The other day at dinner, some friends and I were discussing how when it gets this cold, we think about all of those people out there-- for some of us, actually just down the street or outside our front door--who don't have a home to go to when it gets to be 10 or 20 below. Where do they go? I encourage you to think about that in the coming days--not just to be thankful for what you have, but to realize that the body of Christ has a responsibility to others. I admit I am often guilty of forgetting about those who live differently than I do, and I want to remember them all year, not just when it's cold, or Christmas, or Hanukkah. It's a rough world...and aren't we supposed to be shining a little of Christ's warmth into every corner? It's just something that deserves our attention, whatever that means for you--praying, giving, or spending time helping.

I'll be heading to my parents' for the holidays, so on a Christmas note, I thought I'd share this clip from my favorite Christmas movie, The Muppet Christmas Carol:









Have a happy holiday season! Bring on 2009!


Peace,

J