Our family has lived in many states throughout the Midwest and Great Plains. At last count, we have lived in every Plains state from North Dakota to Texas with the exception of Nebraska. We moved to Houston in 2019, and our entire family missed the change of seasons that we experienced a bit farther north. Now that we have settled in Alpine, we are enjoying seasonal changes once again.

Seasons are important for they help us mark time, and remind us that time is indeed passing. The frost and chill of winter, the blooming of spring flowers, the gentleness of summer nights, and the turning of fall leaves are tangible reminders of God’s goodness in the cycle of creation. Nature has seasons, and so do people. Some Christian traditions even have church seasons. There are holiday seasons like Christmas, when we celebrate the fact God loved humanity enough to unite Himself to it by becoming Man Incarnate. There is Easter, when we rejoice at Christ’s conquest over sin and death through His glorious resurrection.

These times of celebration are preceded by seasons of repentance. Such seasons call to mind the gravity of our sin and becken us to turn back to God. The season of Advent, which precedes Christmas and means “coming,” reminds us that Jesus comes to us twice. In His first Advent, He came in humility and lowliness. In His second Advent, Jesus Christ will come in power and might to judge the living and the dead.The King of all creation will come back, and establish His perfect kingdom.

During Advent, we remember that Jesus will come again, and we take time to reflect on our need because we wish to be prepared when He does appear. In addition to Advent, we have the season of Lent, which precedes Easter. Lent begins this year on Feb. 17, during the heart of winter. Traditionally, Christians in the ancient church were called to examine their lives with special care during this time.

We continue this tradition in modern times by setting aside a season of greater spiritual discipline, maybe giving up distractions while devoting ourselves to prayer, fasting, and service to others. By taking on these activities and refraining from others, we give ourselves opportunity to consider the gravity of our sin and better appreciate the redemption promised to us in Jesus Christ. Drawing close to God and being more aware of our sins stirs up our longing for the relief of His forgiveness and the celebration of His resurrection at Easter.

The church seasons, like those in nature, call us to consider the passing of time. They keep us focused on our need for redemption, and they kindle our hope in what has been accomplished by our Saviour Jesus Christ. He is the Lord of our salvation and the Lord of time.

As we feel the cold winds of winter, and enjoy the crisp and sometimes chilling qualities of the season, let us remember that spring is coming. Take time to reflect upon the ways in which our souls are in need of new life, and sanctify time by walking with the Lord in this season of repentance so we may anticipate Easter and His coming return with joy.