In This Winter Season of Gloom

We hear these words in Isaiah today at Mass, and they should provide comfort to us in this winter season of gloom:

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.”

Many of us are enduring the enormous winter storm this weekend, and our anxiety and winter depression are looming large. It’s only the end of January and the light of spring feels so far away. In my hometown, we’ve been being dumped on with snow for two months already. You can hear the doom and gloom in everyone’s voice… we are tired of winter.

And yet, God gives us this beautiful line today to remind us that Light is there. We’ve seen it. We know it. We wait for it if it’s not yet here.

I’ve walked through many seasons of darkness and gloom in my life and eventually, a light suddenly turns on and changes the trajectory. That’s what God is reminding us of today. His light will turn back on eventually, if it hasn’t already, and guide our path forward. From winter, will bloom a new light.

Anguish will be dispelled. We’ll see joy again and rejoicing. We’ll experience a harvest. The yoke that once burdened us will be smashed. And we’ll walk in the light of springtime with the Lord.

This is our hope in the gloom of winter.

“When darkness comes, You will be found

There is a mystery held in the ground

The hope of springtime runs further still

There Your light reaches and always will

Ooh, I will trust in You

You make winter bloom

I will trust in You

You make all things new

In every winter I hold to one thing

You keep Your promise, I know the spring is coming."

--Sarah Kroger, “Winter Bloom”