The winter months are a struggle for me. It feels like the gray sky cuts to my core and refuses to shine. On top of that, I live in New York City, and the tall, cold skyscrapers create merciless wind tunnels through which I must crawl. Suffice to say, I’ve been dreading the approach of the next few months. But today I was put in my place while reading with my Junior Kindergarten students. We start every day with Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones, and as always, her words were exactly what I needed:
Winter
In the winter it looks like the trees have all died. Their leaves wither and drop off. They stand like skeletons against the cold, desolate sky.
But did you know before even a single leaf falls to the ground, next spring’s bud is ready? Next summer’s leaf is furled inside that tiny buddy, waiting.
And Jesus says there is nothing broken that won’t be mended, nothing sick that won’t be healed, nothing dead that won’t live again. Because God is making everything sad come untrue!
We can’t see it now– but remember the fruit tree in winter? It looks dead. But the buds are ready to go. And come spring–blossom and fruit!
I am talking with my students about winter, snow, and animals who live in colder climates during our Enrichment time this week. Instead of me begrudgingly bringing my students along on an adventure, they guided me with their awe for winter wonderlands. They have eyes to see how detailed each snowflake is, they have the excitement you need to enjoy the icy air. You never know what could happen when you’re out walking in the cold! We looked at Renaissance painter Peter Bruegal’s Hunters in the Snow and Impressionist Camille Pissarro’s Chestnut Trees at Louveciennes and each student pointed out reasons why they would like to be tramping through those particular snowy scenes.
I was challenged to see winter in a new light, to see that we need the cold for spring to come. How can we enjoy the warm air and the green buds if we don’t experience the stark opposite? I don’t want my heart to be “always winter, but never Christmas.” I need childlike eyes to see God’s glory shine through this harsh season. And so, with the help of a few of my favorite winter books below, I invite you to get out of this frigid funk and be reminded of God’s healing hand.
A Big Bed for Little Snow by Grace Lin
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Little Penguins by Cynthia Rylant, Christian Robinson (Illustrator)
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner, Christopher Silas Neal (Illustrator)
Frederick by Leo Lionni
Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost, Susan Jeffers (Illustrator)
Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, John Schoenherr (Illustrator)
Toot and Puddle: Let it Snow by Hollie Hobbie
Brambly Hedge: The Winter Story by Jill Barklem
Look at the Weather by Britta Teckentrup
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This post was written by Carey Bustard, one of the co-editors of Wild Things and Castles in the Sky, coming Spring 2022.
