Wintering Prayer

By Rev. Debra McKnight

Wintering God, Loving Fire

In the freezing and the thawing

As the brown branches frame the precious light,

Grant us courage to be right where we are.

Wintering 

not longing for summer or wishing for spring, 

not escaping or resisting but 

leaning into the real and present gifts 

the season may bring.

Wintering 

with the clarity of cold and the dazzling flakes of snow, 

each a unique wonder of diversity, 

piling up and slowing our pace.

Wintering 

with the gifts of hearth and home;

tending the flame of the heart, 

letting thoughts percolate and

centering our being over our doing,

so the healing rest may take center stage.

Wintering 

with the subtle shades of the sky’s creamy light 

heavy with snow and the earth’s many brown hues, 

the crisp focus winter invites to look again at everything being made new.

Wintering 

with the vibrant evergreens 

that sing of how life is working its way through roots and humus, 

microbes and creatures great and small 

ever present even if out of sight.

Wintering 

with cozy socks and woolen sweaters, 

the tea cup’s soothing steam and 

nights long hours 

in the company of good books and great friends. 

Wintering 

with all the cold has to teach, 

the pause of snow, 

the rest of long nights, 

the dancing firelight 

that we might love our whole selves in every season of life, 

with intention, 

with preparation, 

and with deep care 

to be well right where we are, 

just as we are.

Wintering for ourselves that our community 

may be warm, safe, nourished and well.

May it be so. 

Amen