The intricate geometry of a snowflake, the contrast of a brilliant red cardinal on an icy tree branch, the way the snow sparkles as a sunbeam rakes over it — these are all delights of winter, free to anyone with the heart to observe and an occasion to praise God the Creator.
I’ll be honest — it took me a while to come to terms with winter in Nebraska. But learning to appreciate the beauty of the season has made winter a special time for me to reflect upon this season of waiting, mystery and rest.
WAITING
The garden tools are stored away, the hoses wrapped up and the flowers mulched until spring. Trees are leafless, lawns are under frost or snow, and the hummingbirds and bees of summer are gone. During winter, we wait. We trust that plants and trees will sprout again with green shoots in spring.
Spending moments appreciating the quiet beauty of the natural world in winter can soften our hearts and cultivate the space we desperately need during this time of waiting, in which the Lord can reveal His love for us. Times of waiting in our lives can be joyful, like waiting for a baby to be born, or difficult, like waiting for medical test results. Just as we know that spring will come, we can be sure that whatever we are waiting for, it is within His loving care for us, and He will be present with us through it all.
In this little sliver of Ordinary Time, we are only a few weeks away from the beginning of Lent. Can we use this time of waiting to work on opening our hearts to the Lord in trust? Spring will come, and He holds us in the palm of His hands.
“Thus he makes the snow like wool, and spreads the frost like ash.” – Psalm 147:16
MYSTERY
Winter is an ideal time to develop an appreciation for mystery in our prayer life. Our faith is full of beautiful mysteries, like the Incarnation, the Immaculate Conception and the mysteries of the rosary. There is mystery in the beauty of the natural world, too.
CAMILLE WERTHER
Have you ever caught a snowflake on a sleeve and looked at it, magnified? Each snowflake is different because of its geometry and the influence of weather and physics, but it is also mysterious in its beauty and fragility. How beautiful is our God, Who created such intricate designs for us to discover!
Our landscape is also quiet and full of mystery during the winter. We cannot see it, but there are still botanical processes going on in the dormant trees and shrubs, and many animals have entered states of hibernation.
“You made the moon to mark the seasons.” – Psalm 104:19
“Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all shining stars.” – Psalm 148:3
The moon is shown during a penumbral eclipse. CAMILLE WERTHER
Winter is also an ideal time to observe the night sky. There is still so much we do not know about the universe. We can watch the changes in the moon and constellations as the season progresses. Expensive equipment is not necessary; much can be seen with just our eyes.
Find one beautiful image a day in nature. It could be as simple as a sunbeam on a wall in your house. Consider recording them in a journal. After a month you will have 30 items of praise for the Creator! This can develop into a beautiful loving habit that can transform your relationship with God.
A heron photograph, along with an illustration of rabbit tracks. CAMILLE WERTHER
What mysterious things are going on in our hearts if we allow the Lord to transform us this winter!
REST
“On the seventh day God completed the work He had been doing; He rested on the seventh day from all the work He had undertaken.” – Genesis 2:2
Rest is something we are commanded to do, but we are bad at it. Snow days are an ideal time to take a cup of tea to the window to watch the flakes come down, using the time to praise God in all His creative glory. For the snow, when it melts, will feed our trees and gardens, and ultimately, our rivers and oceans.
“Praise the Lord from the earth … lightning and hail, snow and thick clouds. … Let them all praise the Lord’s Name, for His Name alone is exalted, His majesty above earth and heaven.” – Psalm 148: 7, 8, 13
It can be restful to watch a group of birds at a feeder or picking seeds from plants in our gardens. I once watched a group of juncos shaking seeds out of tiny seedheads like pepper onto the snow, which they then ate.
“How varied are Your works, Lord! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.” – Psalm 104:24
Seasonal flowers can also provide us with rest. Research has shown that looking at flowers can lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety. We can appreciate their color, their delicate structure and their textures. Flowers are difficult to find in winter landscapes here in Nebraska, but we can observe cultivated seasonal flowers on display or in our homes.
CAMILLE WERTHER
Rest can be forced on us, as when we are ill or have to take a snow day, or it can be planned. Maybe a walk in a park on a sunny day or setting out a bird feeder and watching the birds would help. Could we slow down and make some time to appreciate the grandeur of God’s design?
As we walk through this winter season with Him, we can develop the habit of paying attention to the beauty all around us. The things that God has created can remind us of His goodness and care. Enjoy this season of waiting, mystery and rest. Take the time to praise Him for His creation!
Camille Werther is a parishioner at St. Matthew the Evangelist in Bellevue. She is a writer, photographer, artist and editor who teaches nature drawing and bookbinding. She can be found online at camillewerther.com.
CAMILLE WERTHER
Commentary
In praise of winter gifts
January 28, 2026
The intricate geometry of a snowflake, the contrast of a brilliant red cardinal on an icy tree branch, the way the snow sparkles as a sunbeam rakes over it — these are all delights of winter, free to anyone with the heart to observe and an occasion to praise God the Creator.
I’ll be honest — it took me a while to come to terms with winter in Nebraska. But learning to appreciate the beauty of the season has made winter a special time for me to reflect upon this season of waiting, mystery and rest.
WAITING
The garden tools are stored away, the hoses wrapped up and the flowers mulched until spring. Trees are leafless, lawns are under frost or snow, and the hummingbirds and bees of summer are gone. During winter, we wait. We trust that plants and trees will sprout again with green shoots in spring.
Spending moments appreciating the quiet beauty of the natural world in winter can soften our hearts and cultivate the space we desperately need during this time of waiting, in which the Lord can reveal His love for us. Times of waiting in our lives can be joyful, like waiting for a baby to be born, or difficult, like waiting for medical test results. Just as we know that spring will come, we can be sure that whatever we are waiting for, it is within His loving care for us, and He will be present with us through it all.
In this little sliver of Ordinary Time, we are only a few weeks away from the beginning of Lent. Can we use this time of waiting to work on opening our hearts to the Lord in trust? Spring will come, and He holds us in the palm of His hands.
MYSTERY
Winter is an ideal time to develop an appreciation for mystery in our prayer life. Our faith is full of beautiful mysteries, like the Incarnation, the Immaculate Conception and the mysteries of the rosary. There is mystery in the beauty of the natural world, too.
CAMILLE WERTHER
Have you ever caught a snowflake on a sleeve and looked at it, magnified? Each snowflake is different because of its geometry and the influence of weather and physics, but it is also mysterious in its beauty and fragility. How beautiful is our God, Who created such intricate designs for us to discover!
Our landscape is also quiet and full of mystery during the winter. We cannot see it, but there are still botanical processes going on in the dormant trees and shrubs, and many animals have entered states of hibernation.
“You made the moon to mark the seasons.” – Psalm 104:19
“Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all shining stars.” – Psalm 148:3
The moon is shown during a penumbral eclipse. CAMILLE WERTHER
Winter is also an ideal time to observe the night sky. There is still so much we do not know about the universe. We can watch the changes in the moon and constellations as the season progresses. Expensive equipment is not necessary; much can be seen with just our eyes.
Find one beautiful image a day in nature. It could be as simple as a sunbeam on a wall in your house. Consider recording them in a journal. After a month you will have 30 items of praise for the Creator! This can develop into a beautiful loving habit that can transform your relationship with God.
A heron photograph, along with an illustration of rabbit tracks. CAMILLE WERTHER
What mysterious things are going on in our hearts if we allow the Lord to transform us this winter!
REST
“On the seventh day God completed the work He had been doing; He rested on the seventh day from all the work He had undertaken.” – Genesis 2:2
Rest is something we are commanded to do, but we are bad at it. Snow days are an ideal time to take a cup of tea to the window to watch the flakes come down, using the time to praise God in all His creative glory. For the snow, when it melts, will feed our trees and gardens, and ultimately, our rivers and oceans.
“Praise the Lord from the earth … lightning and hail, snow and thick clouds. … Let them all praise the Lord’s Name, for His Name alone is exalted, His majesty above earth and heaven.” – Psalm 148: 7, 8, 13
It can be restful to watch a group of birds at a feeder or picking seeds from plants in our gardens. I once watched a group of juncos shaking seeds out of tiny seedheads like pepper onto the snow, which they then ate.
“How varied are Your works, Lord! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.” – Psalm 104:24
Seasonal flowers can also provide us with rest. Research has shown that looking at flowers can lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety. We can appreciate their color, their delicate structure and their textures. Flowers are difficult to find in winter landscapes here in Nebraska, but we can observe cultivated seasonal flowers on display or in our homes.
CAMILLE WERTHER
Rest can be forced on us, as when we are ill or have to take a snow day, or it can be planned. Maybe a walk in a park on a sunny day or setting out a bird feeder and watching the birds would help. Could we slow down and make some time to appreciate the grandeur of God’s design?
As we walk through this winter season with Him, we can develop the habit of paying attention to the beauty all around us. The things that God has created can remind us of His goodness and care. Enjoy this season of waiting, mystery and rest. Take the time to praise Him for His creation!
Camille Werther is a parishioner at St. Matthew the Evangelist in Bellevue. She is a writer, photographer, artist and editor who teaches nature drawing and bookbinding. She can be found online at camillewerther.com.