The Snow Lay on the Ground

According to the Weather Channel, Burlington, Vermont set a record for snowfall this past weekend, measuring 32.9 inches. Outside my house, there's not quite that depth of snow, but there is a lot of the white stuff there. It started snowing New Year's Eve and continued on until last night. In all of my years, I have never seen a significant accumulation of snow from one storm that never had the feel of a blizzard. For the most part, it was a steady, gently falling snow that persisted over a few days, creating a sense of beauty and wonder all around us.

Yesterday morning, at the height of this persistent storm, we held worship at our church. I was in doubt concerning the possibilities of worshipers coming out in the storm. After all, the authorities were still encouraging people to stay off the roads. On the other hand, in my forty-one years of ministry, I have never canceled worship because of a storm. My response to people who ask has always been, "Since I can get to the church, I will be there for anyone who comes; but use your good judgment and don't take unnecessary risks to get here."

By the time we started worship, I was amazed by the number of hardy, intrepid folks who found their way to the sanctuary and gathered at the Lord's table to rejoice and give thanks. That so many of our church family made worship a priority for this stormy day was a true blessing.

On the news later that day, I saw images of many more people who found their way to ski slopes and sledding sites to enjoy the gift of the newly fallen snow. They were smiling and shouting with glee, frolicking in the miracle of nature, rejoicing in the pleasure that a major snowstorm can bring. Yet none could match the depth of joy that I sense in people of faith for whom prayerful, praise-filled worship is a natural response to what God is continually doing in our lives.

Our choir sang "The snow lay on the ground" as a substitute anthem yesterday, because we thought it a good expression of our faith in the face of this most recent storm. Its chorus says, "Venite adoremus dominum, venite adoremus dominum." O come, let us worship our God. Let us worship God indeed.