A Liturgy for: Winter

With these weekly “Liturgies for the Little Years,” I seek to give words to the unique experiences of raising young kids in prayer form. My hope is that these liturgies would bring a sense of sacredness and meaning into the ordinary moments of daily life as a parent.

Much like the season of winter strips back the natural world, so motherhood often requires us to scale back our lives. Since becoming a mom, I’ve found that I must say no to more invitations and cut down on the amount of things I try to accomplish in a day. Much of my time is spent simply being with my kids - playing and not trying to get anything else done.

With this space and slowed activity, I often find myself restless or struggling with feeling unproductive. Without the distraction of busyness, I also find myself more confronted with my anxieties, doubts and weaknesses.

The other day, I was sitting at my kitchen table looking out the window, and I noticed my view of the sky. Normally, leafy trees obscure me from seeing the sky behind them. But now, in the midst of winter when their leaves have fallen, I am given a beautiful view of the sky through their bare branches.

This made me think about how sometimes when life is stripped back like trees in winter, it creates the space for us to see God. Perhaps when life is too full, we find our view of God obscured. In this season, I’m learning to thank God for the gift of emptiness for all the ways it opens up my life to more of him.

A Liturgy for: Winter

When the once gold-tinseled horizon
has drained itself of color, 
leaves spent and swept away into a memory,
in many ways, I see a mirror of my soul in
this great emptiness winter holds. 

And yet, I embrace the days
of forced slowness and forfeited dreams,
for like naked limbs uncovered,
they reveal my heart, my need. 
Yes, the abundance of growth is lovely,
but it’s frail trees that highlight
the backdrop beneath. 

Look! Through bony branches
etched into icy air,
see the glory there?
Once out of sight,
now behold, the sky!
The sky, which as the Psalmist says,
shines forth God’s glory,
proclaims his name. 
Perhaps these days 
might serve as a frame, 
exposing my weakness
to reveal His strength.