Nestled snugly beneath the warm covers during this winter storm, a flurry of school memories whirled through my mind. I remembered on such days peeling back the covers just enough to slide my hand toward the bedside radio. I had tuned it to WTWX the night before, in case the roads were too icy and the temperatures too cold for bus drivers to safely complete their routes. As soon as my finger pushed the power button, I could count on hearing the iconic voice of the announcer Bruce Underwood. In a voice like none other, I longed to hear him say, “Marshall County schools are closed!” When he finally came through, I would smile and pull the covers back around my ears. Like all students, snow days filled me with inexpressible joy. But I was the teacher, and we all loved snow days more than the kids did!
Yesterday morning, as my cursor kept blinking, my coffee cup’s curling steam doubled over in laughter while I pondered how to wrap up this series on “Singing A New Song.” Eventually, one of my favorite songs drifted into my thoughts. It was written by Chris Tomlin and sung by Audrey Asaad. I wonder if Chris wrote it on a snow day. Surely, he did.
Chris not only captured the wonder of “Winter Snow,” but also the soft, quiet way Jesus came to earth. He didn’t “come like a mighty storm with all the strength of a hurricane.” He “could have come like a forest fire with the power of heaven in His flame.” Instead, He “came like a winter snow, quiet, soft, and slow; falling from the sky in the night to the earth below.”
Jesus is still the same. He doesn’t force His way into our lives “like a tidal wave.” He doesn’t “come through like a roaring flood.” He simply wants to be believed. He wants us to believe that He is who He says He is, that He can do what He says He can do, and, most importantly, that He WILL do it for us! He has the quiet authority to cover all our scars like a winter snow and carry our sins far away. Knowing that He keeps no record of wrongs fills me with an inexpressible joy far greater than any snow day! It’s the kind of joy that makes me want to share the good news and sing the new song God put in my mouth, a song of praise to my gentle Shepherd.
I know you might be tempted to skip this song, but please don’t. Take a few quiet minutes to soak in the lyrics, listen to the soft voice, and reflect on the love Jesus has for you. His voice is unlike any other. Listen when He whispers to your heart, “I love you with an everlasting love.” Live like one who is greatly loved. As The Bible Recap’s Tara-Leigh Cobble always says, “He’s where the joy is.”
Click this link to watch and listen:
Winter Snow by Audrey Asaad and Chris Tomlin
“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! But the angel reassured them, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, for I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere! For today in Bethlehem, a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah.’” (Luke 2:9-11 TPT)
