In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, 
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

I recently went walking in the forest and something delightful happened, as it so often does.  For some reason, the Christmas Carol “In the Bleak Midwinter” was stuck in my head.  This is not necessarily a carol we sing frequently in worship at this time of year.  It’s more quiet and contemplative in nature.  Though it’s a Christmas Carol that can be particularly moving, especially if we find that the merry songs, twinkling lights, and frenzy of the season is getting to us.  Because sometimes the midwinter can feel downright bleak if we’re honest.

As I was wandering and had this song in my head, there was a bird that kept calling out.  It was a single bird and loud and insistent in its call.  My Merlin Bird ID app (I mean, you probably knew this magical app was going to get a shout-out as soon as I mentioned hearing a bird!) informed me that it was a red-bellied woodpecker.  These lovely little birds are common enough in many Eastern woodlands.  Perhaps what made the sound carry so well is that most of the leaves are down from the trees and there was not a cacophony of bird sounds given the season.  The call was piercing and cheerful.

I scanned the trees above and saw this little bird in the distance. 
That woodpecker kept calling out as I quietly made my way on the trail below. 
It made me laugh, the contrast of “In the Bleak Midwinter” that had been playing in my head as I walked and this little woodpecker calling so cheerfully in the forest.
The midwinter did not seem bleak in the least in that moment.  

There can be so much going on at this time of the year. 
The pace and festivities and expectations can feel overwhelming.
My hope and prayer is that you may have a moment or two of delight in the midst of it all. 
Just a thought this week, inspired by a particularly joyful red-bellied woodpecker.

Love,
Pastor Lauren

Photo by Patrice Bouchard on Unsplash

Thursday Thoughts 12/19/24