Tag Archive | winter

‘Tis Winter Now

Jan22

‘Tis Winter Now; the Fallen Snow



‘Tis winter now; the fallen snow
has left the heavens all coldly clear;
through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow,
and all the earth lies dead and drear.

And yet God’s love is not withdrawn;
his life within the keen air breathes;
his beauty paints the crimson dawn,
and clothes each branch with glittering wreaths.

And though abroad the sharp winds blow,
and skies are chill, and frosts are keen,
home closer draws her circle now,
and warmer glows her light within.

O God, you give the winter’s cold,
as well as summer’s joyous rays,
you warmly in your love enfold,
and keep us through life’s wintry days.

Author: Samuel Longfellow (1819–1892) An American clergyman and hymn writer. He was the younger brother of the poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Tune: Danby (English Traditional Melody)

Photo: Bob McCoy

Greet Now the Swiftly Changing Year

Jan6

Greet Now the Swiftly Changing Year

Now greet the swiftly changing year
With joy and penitence sincere.
Rejoice! Rejoice! With thanks embrace
Another year of grace.

Remember now the Son of God
And how He shed His infant blood.
Rejoice! Rejoice! With thanks embrace
Another year of grace.

This Jesus came to end sin’s war;
This Name of names for us He bore.
Rejoice! Rejoice! With thanks embrace
Another year of grace.

His love abundant far exceeds
The volume of a whole year’s needs.
Rejoice! Rejoice! With thanks embrace
Another year of grace.

With Him as Lord to lead our way
In want and in prosperity,
What need we fear in earth or space
In this new year of grace!

“All glory be to God on high,
And peace on earth!” the angels cry.
Rejoice! Rejoice! With thanks embrace
Another year of grace.

God, Father, Son, and Spirit, hear!
To all our pleas incline Your ear;
Upon our lives rich blessing trace
In this new year of grace.

Lyrics by Jaroslav J. Vajda (1919-2008)
Audio by Stephen Sollars
Photo by Diane Domigan

only in winter

Feb15

There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you…. In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.
~Ruth Stout

Photo by Jean Pike