As ever at this time of year I find myself marvelling at the amount of growth that can be seen in our gardens, hedgerows and woods. It seems however icy, cold or damp it becomes nothing can halt the march of Mother Earth. When it does snow and the ground is as “hard as iron” its surprising that anything can survive at all. Yet all the time below the surface of the soil little roots are feed by whatever nutrients they can seek out and are protected from anything the weather throws at them. Then the minute the temperature warms up there is almost an explosive release of stored up energy as the plant, bush or tree bursts into life.
With the cold grey days of January and February ahead of us, and the joy of Christmas behind us, there is for us as Christians the temptation to go into a sort of spiritual hibernation until Lent at least. There is though, no reason why are faith should not grow during this period. Christmas may be behind us now, but we can hold onto the hope that Christ’s birth offers us and use this hope to feed our faith. Jesus’ birth is evidence that we are loved and cherish by God. And just as the soil protects the plant roots, we have the Holy Spirit to protect the roots of our faith, to encourage us and strengthen us during hard times. If we feed and protect out faith we should be able to burst forth into life when at Easter we celebrate the fulfilment of God’s gift to us.
Wishing you all a joyful 2007, yours in Christ, Richard
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