A Winter Wonderland

Last night Maryland had it's first real snowstorm for the season. Snow piled up as high as twelve inches. Even though we have had snow trucks drive through our neighborhood, it is covered in white. We can still see mailboxes, road signs, parts of trees, cars and of course houses, but the roads have literally disappeared. The major airport is closed and many business places are also closed. Of course, today is Saturday, so I am sure children are having the time of their lives. It is certainly a dream come through for them. No school, and the chance of playing in the pile of snow.

I had a different childhood experience. I spent most of my life in Jamaica. Although we did not have snow, we enjoyed this time of the year the most. We spent much time in church and we visited family and friends. We were taught Christmas Carols in school. We sang these Carols and had the Christmas play at school functions and at church. It was enjoyable and we actually were taught the true meaning of Christmas.

My mother was the daughter of a Baptist Pastor and she was devoted to her church. I remember the records she used to play often at Christmas time. There were Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Pat Boone, Nat King Cole and many others. These singers would ring out the true meaning of Christmas with their warm sentimental singing and the beautiful music which accompanied them. I prefer Johnny Mathis rendition of 'It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas' and I actually had a power point presentation for children with his singing in the background.

Unfortunately, when traveling in the plane back home from my mother's funeral at the beginning of this century, I noticed in a newspaper that Perry Como had passed that same year too. I hope they are both enjoying the music in heaven. She was a fan of his.

I have been in Maryland for 16 years now. I remember my first year here, because the snow fell on Christmas Day. I was amazed, as I sat and watched the flakes fall lazily on the ground. I used to enjoy listening to 'I am Dreaming of a White Christmas' by Nat King Cole as a child, but I never understood the meaning of the words until I saw the snow falling that Christmas Day.

My children were just as thrilled with the snowfall. They wanted to make snowmen and have snow fights. They even made a makeshift snow sledge. I think I envied them a little, since I did not know what it was like to have fun in the snow while I was a child. I really believe that we can truly appreciate this time of year when we visit a snow packed city, sit on the stairs while viewing the snowfall and listening to a variety of warm Christmas Carols in the background. It is indeed a thrilling experience which I really appreciate.

Even though I did not know much about snow when I was growing up, I have many great memories of my life in Jamaica. Some of these memories have been expressed in another hub. I would never exchange my childhood for anyone else's. It was the greatest that I could ever have. Now my children will have their own memories of Christmas in Washington DC.

I took some photographs of the first snowfall in my neighborhood. It was very light. it did not affect businesses or road travel, but it was a reminder that winter was near. I have posted these photographs so that readers in other parts of the world that do not have snow can enjoy the experience with me.

I know that christmas is not about snow, gifts, Santa Claus, Christmas trees, lights and decorations. In fact, this is perhaps the first year that I am not decorating a tree, displaying lights and giving gifts. I have chosen to just enjoy God's blessings instead. God has given us great gifts and I think we do not take the time to enjoy them as we should. Snow, I am sure is a gift from God. It is beautiful and it is a thrill to watch it fall. It is also fun to make snowmen and to have snow fights. Sometimes we get so busy, that we fail to take the time to meditate, and be thankful for the things many people wish they had.

Tradition has us giving gifts to others at Christmas time. I chose this year to focus on the greatest gift of all this Christmas. It costs me nothing to do this, and I will not be broke in January because of Christmas shopping. God wants us to be good stewards of our money. With the economy the way it is, I think it is wise to spend less time shopping and more time remembering the reason for the season and the gift of salvation.

I have made up my mind to be thankful for all the great things that happened this year. There were good times, but there were also challenging times. Our ministry lost a great leader and friend in March this year. I know he is in a better place now, and we will see him again. However, he is greatly missed. I am thankful for my church, the bishop and the great sermons which are preached every Sunday. In fact, I am looking forward to Christmas service tomorrow, but the weather may not permit us to attend church. The roads are treacherous. I may have a worship service at home with my family instead.

I am thankful for each of my four children which God has given us. They are treasures that can never be replaced. Even though we do not always see things the same way, I still love them and appreciate them. I am thankful for my husband, his mother, my in laws, my siblings and my extended family in general. At Christmas time we tend to remember families more than at any other time of the year.

My favorite Christmas Carol is 'O Holy Night'. It tells the story of Jesus' birth like no other Carol. I believe one of the best ways to celebrate Christmas is to read the Scritpure which tells of Jesus' birth. Singing and listening to Christmas Carols also spreads the love and joy that His birth brings. As I write this hub, I glance at the snow covered houses, trees, cars and ground. I got a text message stating that our Christmas Service tomorrow is cancelled due to the weather. Our Christmas Play is postponed until Saturday, 26th December. Some may say what is the point of a Christmas Play after Christmas, but the reality is that we should remember that Jesus came as a child everyday of the year. Christmas time should not be the only time of the year to celebrate His coming into the world.

Yes, snow is beautiful and there are many fun things that can be done on snow days, but It can also lead to a lack of productivity. People are advised to stay home after a heavy snowfall. This reduces or eliminates the occurrence of motor vehicle accidents, injury and death. I remember having a ninety degree skid one Sunday I was driving to Church. I have been extremely cautious since then. Regardless, it can be seen as a time for family members to spend time with each other and appreciate each other. It is indeed a time to meditate on the announcement of Christ's birth. In addition, we can reflect on the year that is ending and anticipate the approaching year.

In essence, it is the 'most wonderful time of the year'. It is also a time of reflection and anticipation as we offer gratitude and adoration to the One who deserves it the most.

The snowfall last night was so severe that flights and church services have been canceled.  Schools will also be closed on Monday.  I have used the time to write my 'winter' hub, since this is my first Christmas at hubpages. I would like to use this opportunity to wish every hubber and visitor to hubpages a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

The following photographs were taken after the snowstorm ended. I was fascinated by the bright blue color that was so radiant and warm afterwards.  At this point the roads were cleared by snow trucks.  My son shovelled the driveway.  The snow had piled up to about twelve inches as can be seen in some of these photographs.  I wanted to make a snowman, but I was too cold.  I just went inside the house to keep warm.  I'll perhaps make one tomorrow with the children.

Finally, as I reflect on the great time I had at Christmas as a child, I think of the greatness and magnificence of God. God does not force us to serve Him. However, he reminds us of His presence through the gift and beauty of nature all around us. He gave us the greatest gift of all, the gift of His only Son. He sent His Son into the world so that we can live victorious and abundant lives if we accept Him. Yes, I enjoy the gifts of nature, but nothing can ever compare with the gift of His Son whose birth we believers celebrate at this time of the year.

If there was no snow, no Christmas Carols, Christmas cards, Christmas presents, Christmas trees and beautiful lights displayed. I would still love Jesus and I would think about His life because He is the reason for the season. He is also the reason I am alive. He will come again one day, not as a tiny baby in Bethlehem of Judea. He will be revealed as the triumphant King of kings and Lord of lords. We will all have to bow to Him, even those of us who refuse to serve Him. We will all declare that He is indeed Lord. Let us prepare for His second coming by getting right with Him. There is nothing any of us can do to prevent Him from coming back. It is inevitable. Even so Lord Jesus come.