In this time of metallic tinsel and canned Christmas music, of artificial trees and artificial smiles, of presents and pressing engagements, we find that we are struggling with deep, deep loss. This time of the year is different for us now and we fear it might never, ever be the same. Christmas lights don’t bring us joy and the happiness that surrounds us, seems unfamiliar.

But there is a mystery in the winter; there is the beauty of the snow. Each snowflake is a miracle. Each tiny snowflake is fragile and dazzling. Each snowflake sparkles in the sunshine and twinkles with colour in the glow of the Christmas lights. Each snowflake is different from all of the other snowflakes. They huddle together to make puffy clouds of sparkling powder for us to play with.

The mystery of grief is like this. Our grief for our loved-ones is different and fragile, too. Sometimes our memories bring colour and light into our lives. At other times, we feel the icy breath of reality stop us in our tracks. We are like the snowflakes in this cold time – joining together to make something beautiful. And each of our loved-ones are just like the snow crystals...we can see them sparkle but when we try to hold them too tightly they melt away.

So, we must play with the memory of them, the lessons we have learned and the memories they have left us and throw ourselves deeply into the snow drifts of love and loss and make snow angels – letting the snowflakes tickle our noses and allow the snowdrifts to cradle our souls. Memories are the impressions of life. Snow angels are the impressions of souls.

Tonight, we remember. We remember our mothers, our aunts, our sisters, our daughters, our grandmothers, our wives, our best friends, our co-workers, our neighbours, our babies, our stillborns, our toddlers, our teenagers, our fathers, our uncles, our grandfathers, our sons, our brothers, our husbands, our buddies, our mentors, our confidents, our inside jokes, our favorite meals, our struggles and our triumphs, our holiday traditions, we remember our loved-ones. We remember our snow angels.

As this calendar year draws to its end and we are meant to reflect upon its gracious abundance.

What angels are left in the snow for you?

What do they look like?

Who made them?

Just know that when the snow has melted,

The angels will still be there.