Gò0dNews for Everyone
The Joy of January
T
by Sandra Gilmore
here’s a joy in January like no other month. Have you noticed that January, unlike other months,
has its own rhythm? Other months seem to adapt to
In fact, Scripture confirms this slower cadence of January and winter. In the Book of Job, we hear Elihu describing what the Lord set in motion: “He says to the snow, ‘Fall to the earth,’ and to the
schedules, wrap around agendas, even become the perfect
rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone He has
backdrop for gatherings or community events. Not January. This
made may know His work, He stops all people from their labor”
one-twelfth-of-the-year insists on having its own way.
(Job 37:6-7).
January can send a pop-up snowstorm in its sleep. It can
Isaiah connects winter’s snow with the Word of the Lord: “As
welcome balmy temps with open arms and then send them
the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return
packing as though their reservations ran out. January can embrace
to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so
ice as quickly as a diva dons diamonds.
that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my
So how is that joyful?
Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,
Not only does this month usher in the start of a new year,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for
January ushers in a cadence that’s unmistakable. Just about the time other voices are steadily and loudly raising cries to get
which I sent it” (Isaiah 55: 10-11). Psalms echoes that same process: “He spreads the snow like
motivated, gear up, and get stuff done, this top-of-the-year month’s
wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like
message whispers softly like snowfall. And like snowfall, there’s
pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his Word and
quite enough evidence that it’s on the scene. Snow’s blanket
melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow” (Psalm
covers a multitude of sins—such as the front flowerbeds that
147: 16-18). As January escorts us to another trip around the
didn’t get weeded or the back deck that didn’t get painted in the
sun, how will you enjoy this winter? Ecclesiastes declares: “For
busy summer. Snow transforms the landscape into a white canvas
everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under
perfect for winter colors. There’s the ruby cardinal who flitters
heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
about finding both a perch and a provisional morsel. The emerald
Research hints at and even shows several benefits: We sleep
pines stand stoically with their evergreen branches. With the help
better in the colder months (or even in a colder room throughout
of the sun, the snow and ice explode with color, tiny prisms that
the year). With better rest, cold temperatures, and a slower pace,
turn loose grounded rainbows. There’s no doubt, a different season
our minds yield more creative ideas. We humans tend to postpone
is on the scene.
decisions or milestones in the summer, so winter could become the
In past centuries, society went by the Roman calendar which held 10 months, leaving winter or an extended “January” as one season with no delineated months. Romans considered winter a
season to work through projects or tackle obligations. What will you tackle? Or maybe, will you simply listen to the snow fall?
About The Author
time of peace without deliberate effort in agriculture or war.
46 // January 2022
Sandra Gilmore serves the Lord as wife, mom, and encourager, mostly through writing and speaking, occasionally through cooking, rarely through anything athletic and only because of the mercy and grace of Jesus. You can reach her by email: tandsgilmore@yahoo.com or her website www.sandragilmore.org.
