“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:2

Green…it’s all around us — unless we live in the city. But even in places like New York City, there are green places where we can see how G-d has woven the color green into the very fabric of the earth. It points us to life, to refreshing, to new beginnings. In North America, most people will see how winter brings a blandness to the earth — and often to us as people. The barrenness, the lack of color, the diminishing light, along with the cold and the bitter, they all play together in a dance of diminishing returns. This is the joy of winter…a time when the earth seems to take a break and rest. Although these times may appear dreary and confining, even these times are needed for the new growth coming in spring again.

The winters of our life can seem dreary and even barren, but there is new growth taking place even when we can’t see it. G-d is at work — even if it feels as if G-d is asleep. G-d knows that the earth needs intervals of rest, just like we as G-d’s children also need times of rest.

Our verse today reminds us of this important truth – “He makes me lie down in green pastures…”

How are you handling this Christmas season…the rush, the busyness, the weariness? Are you taking time to allow G-d to help you stop and enjoy the beauty of the earth, and to be a part of G-d’s renewing presence? If you’re anything like me, when I am tired…I get “hangry” — a combination of hungry and angry. I am not at my best. I do not reflect Christ’s joy, light, peace, life or anything good. And usually those closest to me get the brunt of my “dreariness”.

In these weeks to come, as you look around and see “green”, let it remind you to take time to find rest and renewal. You may be thinking you can’t afford to, but in reality we can’t afford not to. It doesn’t have to be long…just a few minutes remembering the many gifts of blessing we all have — remembering G-d’s in control, remembering the abundant life that comes through Jesus. And if you are struggling in life feeling that deep loneliness or depression of an emotional winter, know that G-d is near; G-d is at work.

My prayer for this Christmas devotion is that, as we have just four days until Christmas, I hope each one of us can experience the new life of Jesus Christ budding out in our lives…even during winter because we have found rest in G-d.

Pastor Dave