Cold Ears, Runny Noses & Praising our Maker

                                                           Zwick's Park Sliding Hill Photo: Ruth Mundy

Bless the Lord, winter cold and summer heat,
    sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.
46 Bless the Lord, dews and snows,
    sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.
47 Bless the Lord, nights and days,
    sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.
48 Bless the Lord, light and darkness,
    sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.
49 Bless the Lord, ice and cold,
    sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.
50 Bless the Lord, frosts and snows,
    sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever...

from the Prayer of Azariah and the Three Youths 

 STAY HOME! HOW MUCH MORE CLEAR CAN I BE!? If you live in Ontario you'll know the source of this "clear as mud" command -- "clear as slush?" - because we're in the midst of a kinda, sorta, state of emergency. 

It's perplexing because we're also being told that time outdoors is important for our mental and physical health. The guidelines for the lock-down state that we are permitted to go outside for exercise, so that's what we've been doing. Even though the first half of January has seemed like three months because of the unrelenting gloom we cheer-lead each other out the door and find someplace which reminds us that even when the day feels hopeless inside there are wonders to behold outside.We have crampons for our hiking boots and poles for stability. 

Yesterday we went for a ramble along the water of Lake Ontario in Prince Edward County, at a spot where we were totally alone. It is remote enough that we didn't hear human-made sound, let alone see other members of our species. The skies were overcast yet it was still beautiful. Eventually,we sat in a rocky alcove by the shore to drink our tea and eat a muffin. 

We did lament the lack of snow and the unsettling mild temperature. What was happened to Winter? I commented to Ruth that the absence of actual Winter weather is making the lock-down tougher . And then we talked about how few hymns there are which actually celebrate the season. The ones which do acknowledge Winter tend to describe it as bleak, cruel, bitter, and a time when creatures which can skedaddle do so. 

Where are the hymns and carols which celebrate the transformation which snow brings to landscapes, or the delight of ice on bodies of water? A cardinal or a blue jay on a snow-laden branch stirs deep joy in me. Canadians thrill at sledding  down a hill, or skiing, or skating across a frozen pond. Our unofficial national sport is hockey and we excel at winter sports in the Olympics. So why portray Winter as grim, the enemy, instead of a gift from God, the Creator.As Groundlings we can celebrate "God's wondrous world." 

There are a number of musicians and music-lovers who read the blog, and a few who are part of worship teams. Do you know of upbeat hymns about Winter? What experiences of the season would you include in a positive Winter hymn? What tune might we use with original lyrics, if the music wasn't written for a Winter hymn? 

I'd love to hear from you on this one!