Is love alive?

The days are short. The nights are long. It's cold and dark.

Winter is here and I dread it. Many people embrace winter by cross-country skiing, skating, or power-sledding ... but I just can't go there. Winter is the season of death.

They say that things just cannot grow
Beneath the winter snow,
Or so I have been told.

The human race lives in a winter age. It's been winter ever since we left the Garden. Paradise lost. Cold and darkness is our way of life. We've adjusted to it, but when spring finally arrives, we'll realize how cold and dark it really was.

I still believe in summer days.
The seasons always change
And life will find a way.


On a cold, dark winter night a long time ago, Light came to earth and brought good news of great joy -- the promise of spring and the resurrection of life.

My love a beacon in the night.
My words will be your light
To carry you to me.


The Light has left us for now and the winter goes on. But every once in a while, the Spirit puts a song in my heart to remind me that someone will be waiting for us when spring returns.

This is my winter song.
December never felt so wrong,
Cause you're not where you belong;
Inside my arms.


Christmas Eve candlelight service at Central Baptist Church on Wednesday, December 24, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Worship in the quiet darkness. Reflect on the Light. All welcome.

---

Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson recently recorded Winter Song for the Hotel Cafe album entitled "Winter Songs". Check out their live performance of the song on the Tonight Show.