In Lewis's story the world is gray, and bleak and cold. Winter in our world can be bleak, harsh, cold and dreary. Bareness is everywhere: brown, stubby, empty fields, leafless trees, empty parks devoid of people. Shorter grayer days and longer darker nights send us inside to huddle and isolate. Christmas calls us out.
Christmas takes that stark scenery and breathes life into it. Evergreen tree lots inhabit those stubby fields, with vendors selling hot chocolate, apple cider, wreaths and roping to the excited tree buyers. Parking lots turn into white icy skating rinks. Brown grassy areas now hold colorfully robed and turbaned shepherds, wise men, angels, and maybe a live camel or two. Temporary stables house a couple with a small child while a miniature donkey eats hay out of a trough. A lighted star on a tree or a pole shines down, and the headlights from the cars streaming by illuminate it all.
Christmas doesn't leave us inside to keep the light behind closed doors. Christmas explodes through our windows and doors to brighten the gray days and longer nights. Christmas drapes color on every surface, trimming hedges, roofs, and fences. Bare-limbed trees sport multicolored strings of brightness. Dormant flower beds now grow everything from candy canes and snowmen to life-size Santas with reindeer.
Winter tries to freeze your heart. Christmas warms your heart with song. Christmas brings carolers; listen to the lyrics, sing along.
Winter takes your spirit; Christmas gives it back. A smile, a cheery greeting, a helping hand, and if you're able, a gift.
This winter, whatever winter brings, keep Christmas in your heart.
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