There’s no easy way to explain the complexities of a simple snowflake. When you see millions of them falling across the mountains or prairies or among the skyscrapers of your city, just think that each one began as a wisp of water vapor or a tiny droplet of moisture high in the earth’s atmosphere. A small sheath of ice formed around it until it became a crystal of ice. As these tiny crystals blew around like dust in the clouds, they grew in size and became heavy enough to tumble out of the cloud.
During any one snowstorm, billions of these snowflakes make their descent. They’re white-clad paratroopers leaping from airplanes in perfect sequence and formation. These tiny skydivers pass through various temperature zones on their descent, and that’s what determines whether they arrive as rain, freezing rain, sleet, biting snow, or fluffy flecks.
Precipitation is most beautiful when it arrives on our level as snowflakes. They naturally form six sides or branches. Some are perfectly shaped; but many of them, while tumbling through the atmosphere, become irregular, unsymmetrical, disjointed, and odd. They may resemble crosses, window panes, twinkling stars, frozen webs, silver trees, icy crystals, tiny flowers, or images from a kaleidoscope. Each is uniquely beautiful, and when it falls at midnight on Christmas Eve, the effect is . . . forgive me, “magical,” in the wonderment sense.
Things to Remember When You’re Snowed Under
Perhaps for you the season doesn’t feel magical. Millions battle loneliness and depression at Christmas. There’s something pensive and reflective about this time of year. The sights, songs, and smells of the holiday bring back memories. We miss our loved ones. We bear extra expenses, consume extra calories, and pack extra events into our schedule. We grow tired. And sometimes the very snow that seems so beautiful through the window traps us indoors until we get cabin fever.
But in the midnight flurry of the season, let’s remember some things.
First, remember the uniqueness of God’s creation. Billions of flowers, yet every one different. Billions of stars, but no two alike. Billions of snowflakes, yet each one unique. Perhaps you’ve been blown around in the storm, disjointed and lost in the crowd. Perhaps you feel unloved. Perhaps you’re around some snowflakes that seem perfect, and you feel inferior.
Not every snowflake is perfectly formed but every snowflake is unique and beautiful. Somehow in God’s design, a snowflake’s imperfections enhance its beauty. Perhaps you’ve forgotten how special you are to Him, that you’re one of a kind. The Bible says that we are His workmanship, fearfully and wonderfully made.
Second, remember the uniqueness of His Word. Did you know that the Bible compares itself to snow? The prophet Isaiah said that just as the snow comes down from heaven and hydrates the earth, so is the Word that goes from His mouth. It shall not return to Him void, but shall accomplish what He pleases and shall prosper in the thing for which He sends it (Isaiah 55:10-11). Think of every Bible verse as a snowflake sent from heaven to beautify and nourish your heart.
Third, remember the uniqueness of His redemption. Jesus was born to live a righteous life and to die a redemptive death. His blood was red, but it has a remarkable effect when it touches our souls: “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).
King David, after his terrible sins, prayed: “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:76). Those who confess their sins and invite Christ to be their Savior experience that transformation in their lives.
The Only One
I believe that if you were the only person on earth, the Lord Jesus Christ would still have descended to this planet, been born of a virgin, and died on the cross for you. That’s how very special and unique you are in His heart. As you celebrate Christmas this year, take time to remember His love for you—as gentle as a snowflake, yet mighty to save and redeem.
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