Winter sunlight is a warm old soul, spreading love in the bitter cold. ~Angie Weiland-Crosby
Don’t you just love a winter day filled with sunlight? Perhaps you have a favorite chair by a window where the sun streams in to warm you when winter has thrown cold winds our way. Sunlight can make everything more beautiful and cheer our souls.
Sunlight is painting. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne
I don’t have an amaryllis this year, but those beautiful blooms can cheer up a winter day especially when the sun shines through the window to light up the petals as it did with this one. Most all flowers need sunshine. Most people do too. A week full of cloudy days can dampen our spirits and make us more than ready to welcome the sun peeking out from behind clouds to shine down on us. Maybe that’s why I’ve always wanted to have windows, many windows, in my house even if they can let in some cool air and unfortunately, are not self-cleaning. I have two windows on one side of my desk here in my writing office and two windows on another side. Whichever way I look while I’m writing, there are windows. I like seeing the sunlight spreading across the fields in the morning and sliding away in the evenings.
May sunshine surround you each new day. And may smiles and love never be far away.– Catherine Pulsifer
In the Bible, light has always been a symbol of holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, grace, hope, and God’s revelation.
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 (NKJ)
The greatest revelation was Jesus. He is the light of the world. Our preacher this morning reminded us that even when we are walking through those cloud filled valleys of hard times, that we are never really alone or in the darkness. The Light of the world is walking along beside us. Perhaps even carrying us through.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NKJ)
I love the song “This Little Light of Mine.” My husband sings bass for the Patriot Quartet, a Southern Gospel group. Several years ago they had a song they sang at most of their programs that they followed with a couple of verses of “This Little Light of Mine.” I don’t remember the other song, but I was always disappointed when they didn’t sing it so they could sing “This Little Light of Mine.” We also sang it many times in Bible school. The kids liked the verses about “put it under a bushel, no, I’m gonna let it shine” and “won’t let Satan blow it out, I’m gonna let it shine.” There are as many verses as you can think of for that song.
Nobody knows exactly who came up with the original song. The phrase “This little light of mine” first appeared in a 1925 poetry book by Edward G. Ivins. In 1933, newspapers provided the first known references to the song, reporting that a choir sang it at an African Methodist Episcopal conference in Helena, Montana, from where Ivins hailed. Maybe it was just a gift of enthusiasm by one singer and then it just spread like wildfire through churches. One thing is sure. The song has been sung millions of times by Christians who want to let their light shine.
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matt. 5:14-16 NKJ)
I’m wishing you sunlight and beauty and joy as I have a feeling you might be singing “This Little Light of Mine” in your head now. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Comments 6
Enough snow melted that I went walking today. It was so pretty glistening in the sun over the weekend.
Author
I missed out on most of the glistening, Lucy. For some reason the freezing rain missed us. So our trees didn’t get that glistening coating. That was okay with me. We did have ice under the snow, but it wasn’t too bad. Kept those muddy paws at bay for a few days although the dogs did get icy snowballs between their toes.
I loved the way the sunlight shined on the ice-covered trees and bushes. Everything sparkled like diamonds. Truly a spectacular view on my lake! I look at winter sunlight as God’s promise that warm days are ahead.
I also have two little dandelions that seem to always be shining their sunny faces, no matter the weather. They’re always there, even though they’ve been snow covered for several days. I guess it’s because they’re next to a board rail, on the south side of my hill and protected. But every time I walk out, it’s like they say good morning. I love dandelions, even though they’re technically weeds. I’ll share a story about my grandpa and dandelions sometime.
Have a great week Ann! Warmer days are on the way, along with muddy boots & paws.
Author
I’m a fan of dandelions too, Lavon. Have a devotional on my website about them. In the spring I think they look like spots of sunshine in the grass and it is fun to see them still blooming in the middle of winter. Tough little flowers for sure. I’ll look forward to you sharing that story sometime.
And yes, we’re having those warmer temperature but oh, the muddy paws. We didn’t have any ice on our trees, but there was some I saw on Sunday on the way to church. That’s a few miles away. We must have been a warm spot on the map.
The sunny, semi-warm afternoons today and yesterday in Houston, TX, were a real blessing from God after several nights at freezing and below. The light was encouraging. In fact, my husband and I were able to go on walks yesterday and today and loved that time together and in God’s creation.
Author
Those blessings of the warmth of sunshine in the winter, Suzanne. Glad you had a good day to walk and enjoy each other’s company and seeing the beauty of the world around you.