Every year in my house, that phrase is uttered at least a dozen times between November and February. Matter of fact, I just said it to Mr. M as I stumbled upon some beautiful snow scenes via Google. Unfortunately, we don't get much snow in Florida. It does get cold, and we do get snow flurries on occasion - believe it or not - but snow in Florida isn't a common occurrence...at all.
Growing up, we were blessed to travel, as I've mentioned in the past, so I have seen my share of snow. It's funny though, because with all the snow I did get to see as a kid and teenager, I never actually saw snow fall until I was an adult. As I referenced in my post about road trips a few days ago, in 2002'ish, my parents, and brother and sister and I spent Christmas in Chicago at my aunt and uncle's place. It was ridiculously cold. I remember when I first stepped out of the car in Chicago - I can still see it in my head. We had stopped at a gas station, and we all single-filed ourselves out of the van. It was freezing, and the wind was piercing. As a natural born Floridian, I thought I was smart with my hand-me-down fake leather coat, and cheap Walmart gloves. I was wrong. No cheap coat or shamefully thin gloves would prepare me for the bitter cold of Chicago. But, I made do. We spent close to a week there, and on Christmas Eve it snowed. I remember me and mom taking my aunt's little dog out for a walk as the snow fell from the sky. It was the first time I had ever seen snow fall. It was beautiful. The thing that fascinated me the most - and still does to this day - is how peaceful the snow is. Even in the midst of a snow storm, you don't hear the snow crash against the roof, or pour on to your windshield. It can come with much force, but in near silence. It's strong, yet gentle. Mighty, yet serene. Forceful, yet silent.
I think that's why I love today's song of the season so much. I've always been quite the traditionalist when it comes to Christmas music, but over the last couple of years, I have really learned to embrace newly composed seasonal tunes. Audrey Assad is a contemporary Christian artist, and Winter Snow is one of the first songs I ever heard by her. The words are touching, and give a beautiful depiction of the real meaning behind Christmas. Please take a moment to listen.
Winter Snow
You could've come like a mighty storm
With all the strength of a hurricane.
You could have come like a forest fire
With the power of Heaven in Your flame.
But You came like a winter snow.
Quiet and soft and slow.
Falling from the sky,
In the night to the earth below.
You could have swept in like a tidal wave,
Or an ocean to ravish our hearts.
You could have come through like a roaring flood
To wipe away the things we've scarred.
But You came like a winter snow.
You were quiet, You were soft, and slow.
Falling from the sky,
In the night to the earth below.
No, Your voice wasn't in a bush burning.
No, Your voice wasn't in a rushing wind.
It was still, it was small, it was hidden.
You came like a winter snow.
Quiet and soft and slow.
Falling from the sky,
In the night to the earth below.
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