by Donna Poole
He knew.
How did knowing winter more brutal than any other was coming for Him not darken His every thought, color His world with frigid foreboding, and freeze all thought of joy? And yet, somehow, it didn’t.
Jesus was a paradox, a man of sorrows acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3) and yet more joyful than any other (Hebrews 1:9).
Jesus, living daily with the knowledge the cross was coming, yet found Himself a magnet for small children who ran to Him, crowded around Him, and crawled onto His lap. Kids aren’t attracted to a man with a stern, frigid, grief-lined face.
Remember those lines in the movie, Miracle on 34th Street, when the lawyer pointed to the prosecutor and asked the little boy on the witness stand, “Could that man be Santa Claus?”
“No!”
“Why not?”
“Santa don’t got no grumpy face!”
Though winter was in His cry—Jesus warned His disciples He was facing crucifixion—the summer sun was on His face. Children adored Him. I imagine they loved His laugh, I can’t wait to someday hear that laugh myself!
I think of Jesus today when sickness, suffering, and death is wounding many people dear to my heart. I know where He found the sunshine on His wings despite everything. He found pure joy in communion with His Father.
He found it too in His love of nature. No wonder Jesus loved creation; He made everything and holds it together. Colossians 1:16-17
In the loveliness of a created work, we see the beauty of the artist. When I admire a sunset, a flower, the patterns of clouds racing through a brilliant blue sky, I catch my breath at the thought of how beautiful the soul of Jesus must be.
Though winter was in His cry, Jesus noticed the beauty of wildflowers, the helplessness of lambs, and the needs of sparrows. He was the one who taught us, as George MacDonald said, God sits beside each dying sparrow.
Picture Jesus walking those dusty backroads of Galilee, on His way to minister to yet another crowd of needy people, but taking the time to talk to His Father, to notice the shepherd with his lambs, and to stoop and study the beauty of the lily. I imagine at night He smiled up at the stars He had named.
Jesus found joy even as winter grew near.
Yes, my heart is heavy, and winter is in my cry for those I love who are suffering. But I relish the feel of the sunshine on my face. I live in the minute and love the beauty of each tree vibrant with color, because winter is in their cry too.
In His creation Jesus has given us more than beauty to enjoy; He has given us a glimpse of His own radiant heart. When we appreciate beauty and thank Him for it, we find a bit of healing and peace.
Something Told the Wild Geese
by Rachel Field
“Something told the wild geese
It was time to go.
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered, –‘Snow.’
Leaves were green and stirring,
Berries, luster-glossed,
But beneath warm feathers
Something cautioned, –‘Frost.’
All the sagging orchards
Steamed with amber spice,
But each wild breast stiffened
At remembered ice.
Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly,–
Summer sun was on their wings,
Winter in their cry.”
