The Wheatland Mission

From Trees in Winter to Advent

"People are there for us to love, like trees in winter." This quote from Brother Lawrence via Anne Lamott reminds us that God desires us to love one another especially when the one we love is difficult to love. "...like trees in winter" reminds us that we don't love one another for what we can get nor do we love one another because it is fruitful, effective or rewarding. We just love, because.

The image of trees in winter has special value today with the winter blast that has over taken us the last two days. The cold weather and icy streets slow us down and make us deliberate. We move with more care as we walk or as we drive and we pay greater attention to our surroundings. The snow reminds us of the idyllic Christmas and although I doubt any of it will be around when Christmas actually gets here it is nice to see the white stuff on the ground when Christmas music is on the radio. All of this is great preparation for Advent.

Like tree's in winter we are bare and fruitless and waiting for new life, growth and deliverance. Like the countryside covered with ice and snow and seemingly devoid of life we are waiting for warmth, relief and comfort. Like God's people before Christ's arrival we get to anticipate his arrival like they did. But rather than enter into the exact same scenario that they were in we get to participate in a accelerated reenactment of the drama of Christ's first arrival and the inauguration of his Kingdom.

In the midst of winter's darkness and our unfruitfulness we can anticipate the arrival of our Hope.

This weekend for Advent we celebrate the Night of Hope.

posted by The Wheatland Mission @ 8:29 PM