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Heartbreak:
Ramblings From a Compassionate Heart
A Series of Commentaries
by Mary T. Hoffman

prayer, compassion, love, fear, hate, cruelty, abuse, cowardice, self-indulgence, sadism, truth, lies, pain, suffering, peace, emotions, comfort, creatures, humans, people, animals, God, Jesus, Christ, Holy Spirit, church, religion, politics

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Snow
30 December 1998

Finally!  Five days after Christmas, the first measurable snow of the season covers the ground!  Three inches of the beautiful white stuff has turned the outdoors into a winter wonderland.  This morning, with the wind-chill dipping to -20 degrees Fahrenheit,  Frank and I were out shoveling our drive and walk. Despite the cold, little footprints in the pristine whiteness was proof that one of our rabbit friends had braved the weather before us.  But in the midst of this blustery chill, our hearts were warm with joy!

I haven't outgrown the excitement of the "first snow", and doubt that I ever will.  Every year I hope it snows in time for Christmas, and I'm a bit disappointed if Christmas turns out to be "green", as it was this year.   Yes, I know that Jesus didn't have snow on his birthday!  But, all my life, I have associated the Holiday Season with snow.

Symbolically, that association is appropriate.  Just as snow covers the earth's broken, gnarled branches and "scars" left by autumn's ordeal, Jesus cleanses us of sin, making us spiritually "whiter than snow". In Psalm 51:6-7 we find:

6    Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7    Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
(KJV)

And in  Isaiah 1:18 the Lord entreats us:

18    Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
(KJV)

From my snow-loving heart,

Mary

Watercolor painting by Mary T. Hoffman

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