The Cold Winter Warmth

Editor’s Note: This is a guest story by veteran Diva Ann Grace. This is a beautiful story and great reminder to take into the New Year!


The holiday’s always seem to bring a sense of warmth in me. The day after Thanksgiving literally births some sort of fire to prepare for the Christmas season. Some of the holiday’s anticipated highlights include the endless classic Christmas movies while sipping on some yummy Mexican hot cocoa. And it has to be hot because if not, the marshmallows don’t melt as well. But this year will be different, I’m sure. Many of us are wondering if there will even be a “Christmas”?

The truth is that we are now living in unprecedented times of chaos, uncertainty and fear all while embarking on a dark, cold winter. This pandemic has practically ruined my families fervor to plan for this holiday season. As one meme said it best, “the worst mistake i made was buying a 2020 planner”. Is that not the truth? I now cringe to see what lies ahead for this volatile country of ours.

Although my usual cheerful holiday bliss has diminished drastically, I can’t help but wonder if I’ve also let it rob my zeal for Christ? In Romans 12:11 we are commanded: “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit.”

To be slothful is like being tired or lazy. Instead, we are told to have a fervent zeal. That is basically saying that our walk in Christ should reflect a sort of fire year round. Not just during the holidays, but all the time! As believers in Christ, we should always have a passion that burns for Christ and leaves the world to wonder how such joyful fire can exist during some of the darkest and coldest nights this year. Why you may ask? Well, because if we don’t keep this fire, we will be rejected from God Himself.

Revelation 3:15-16 warns the church, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot…So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” This holiday season will be different.

But rest assure that even in these chilly, scary times, we can stay ablaze for Christ! Don’t let this years cold winter nights rob you and your family of the fire within to finish our race faithfully with patience and endurance.

“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:3-4 ESV



Ann: I am not a blogger, professional writer, photographer or foodie. I’m simply a mother of five (soon to be six) who has walked a road of grief after losing a husband and baby. I continue to encounter a Lord who is faithful. My desire is for others to know Him like I do and let Him be glorified in all I do say and do.