The first snow of the year is coming, and anticipation fills the air. It’s funny how not only the weather changes, but the kids can sense it too. They’ve always been good at picking up the subtle shifts—almost before we do.
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The first snowfall always feels magical, mostly because we’re eager to see what will actually accumulate. Will it be just a dusting, or several inches? Every year, everyone throws out their predictions, adding to the excitement. I feel that same childlike anticipation every time snow season begins.
It seems fitting that our first big, much-anticipated snowstorm arrives right after Thanksgiving—December’s way of whispering, “Welcome to winter.” I love it even more because it signals the start of all things cozy and Christmasy. Snow on Christmas simply makes everything feel more magical, at least to me.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. – Psalms 51:7
Traditions That Mark the Season
This weekend was the perfect way to transition from fall to winter. We went to get our Christmas tree, and now the entire house smells like pine. We always go to a tree farm and cut down a big tree. It’s a tradition from my own childhood—one I knew I wanted to continue with my family.
Our kids have grown to love the anticipation of picking out the tree just as much as I do. The fact that it always seems to fall right before the first big snowstorm makes it feel even more special. Yes, it was super cold outside—but the cold is part of the experience.
Now the fireplace is crackling, filling the house with warmth, and a stock pot is simmering on the stove with homemade chicken stock. We skipped the turkey this year and went with two seasoned chickens. We already had turkey earlier in the week, so why not change it up.
Meanwhile, I still have tomatoes ripening in a box in the living room. If the snow really does come tomorrow, I’m hoping to spend the day pressure-cooking stock and making tomato juice from the tomatoes we froze earlier, plus the ones still ripening in the window. Winter outside, summer inside—at least for a day.
A Heart Full of Thankfulness
As Thanksgiving wraps up and the year begins to wind down, I’m struck by how much we have to be grateful for.
We’ve lived in our home for two years now.
We canned twice as much as last year—and finally have proper storage for it.
Our kids are thriving, with room to grow, play, and breathe.
We have jobs that give us flexibility and the chance to stay involved in our children’s school life.
I’ve learned so much about perseverance, about choosing the right people—those who uplift, support, and genuinely want to be part of our lives and lifestyle. God gives us so much, and the older I get, the more I realize how important it is to slow down enough to appreciate it.
As a family, we’ve been focusing on the fruit of the Spirit this year—really remembering what that verse means in our home and how it shapes our responses and choices.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.”
The First Snow and Faith
The first snow is so much like faith. Faith that things will work out the way they’re supposed to—even if it doesn’t look exactly like what we imagined. Snow carries this feeling of anticipation: we have an idea of what might come, but we won’t really know until the flakes start falling.
Weather mirrors life in so many ways. People can make their best predictions based on what they see—but until the snow actually comes, we don’t know what’s ahead.
Faith is trusting that God will guide us, that He’ll show us which inner voice is His, and remind us that He still speaks. Sometimes the hardest part is simply listening—quieting the noise enough to hear the small nudges that lead us where we’re meant to go.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6
May the first snowfall remind us to slow down, listen, and lean into the gentle anticipations God places in our hearts.
Reflection
As the first snow falls, take a moment to pause and ask:
What is God inviting me to anticipate in this new season?
Just as snow transforms the world overnight, God often works quietly, subtly, and beautifully—sometimes in ways we don’t recognize until later. What ways do you think he might be working in your life? Are you ready to take on what he has in store for you?
Just as we prepare for the winter weather, we can prepare our hearts for the spiritual seasons ahead by slowing down, giving thanks, and listening for God’s gentle whisper. Let the snow remind you that even when you can’t see everything clearly, God is already at work—guiding, providing, and shaping each step.
Ask yourself:
- Where is God nudging me to trust Him more?
- What blessings have I overlooked in the busyness of life?
- How can I make room for stillness so I can hear His voice more clearly?
As winter settles in with all its quiet beauty, may your heart settle too—resting in the truth that God’s timing is perfect, His presence is near, and His guidance is sure.