St Peters RC Church Hamilton

The waning winter world around us
Remains still glorious, in spite of a limited colour palette.
February carries a beauty of its own.
Just as if winter continues with a duty
To surprise us,
All through January, into February,
Until spring comes to delight in a new way.
When we look out on a frosty world,
We must be prepared for
Many surprises.
In a world apparently sleeping,
Nature is keeping watch
Magnificently, marvellously, mysteriously.
Look, see
A winter world shaped and coloured specifically,
Most beautifully.
A winter world
Whitened, heightened in wonder,
Some colour peeping through at the edges.
For God’s love is there
To surprise us.
Does not every frosty berry
Carry a promise?
The promise is the continuity of God’s love for us.
We move forwards through February.
What will we see?
Is there any link between autumn, winter
And eventually spring and summer?
Will the winter world around us
Continue to flourish throughout February?
Yes, for the glory of God
Is definitely continuous!
His plan is perfect.
His love always has a purpose.
God’s provision and protection
Go closely hand in hand.
And every colourful berry which nourishes richly
- Red a reminder of Jesus’ blood shed for us –
Is a reminder of provision,
God’s decision to take care of us.
A frosty, icy, snowy world
Painted white on the tips,
- Let praise be on our lips –
Is carefully blanketed by God’s concern for us,

For all of His creatures, the birds as well as humanity.
He provides to protect.
He protects to provide.
Let us not hide away from the reality.
We need the continuity of God’s care
Day by day, week by week, month be blessed month.
Winter will soon be passing, spring coming.
God’s loving protection has been bestowed on us
With great grace and favour.
God’s generous provision will still surround us.
Lord, increase our awareness, our thanks as a response,
For indeed Your love is ever there to surprise us.
Let us share this in gratitude,
Ever acknowledging Your attitude of love.
Love in all its glory
Is part of Your story
In a winter world.
Thank You for every particle of frost,
For every beautiful snowflake that falls.
Thank You for the tracery of Your hand at work.
Do not let us shirk our responsibility
To see and proclaim the glory of His name
As Father Creator, Protector Provider.
Yes, the waning winter world around us
Is still glorious
All with a stark beauty of its own.
And when February passes into March,
The dawn of spring, again the Creator God will delight us,
So rich, so bountiful, so continuous His provision is.
Ecclesiastes 3 v 1 “To everything there is a season” God’s decision,
And indeed, in our need and His generosity,
Ecclesiastes 3 v 11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
A winter world about us is a fine time to see this.

Lord, berries are spectacular in their autumn splendour. Then they become painted in a
different way when covered with frost, ice or snow. You let the red and orange glow through
the white. The contrast is striking.
So too is life whether lived with a working knowledge of Your protection and provision, or
not. “ ‘Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about
Matthew 6 v 25 your body, what you will put on’.” May we take heed.

“ ‘Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the
air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds
Matthew 6 v 26 them. Are you not of more value than they?
Thank You Father, for being such an ever loving and generous Protector Provider. When we see

the winter berries in all their beauty there, not only for our delight, but to feed the hungry
birds, may we see something of the glory of Your love for all of creation. “ ‘Which of you by
Matthew 6 v 27 worrying, can add one cubit to his (or her) stature’?” Lord, increase our faith. Amen.

08.02.14