Snowy River Ski

With the heavy snow that fell here over the last week, a cross country ski outing was in order. It's always a goal for my holiday break, but snow conditions seldom permit it. Made it out yesterday into near-ideal snow conditions at Huron Mills Metropark. I'd considered trying the larger trail system at Kensington Metropark, but I thought it would be a good time to take some pictures along the Huron River.





Not much else to say. Perfect snow, with more of it falling most of the time, few people on the trails. Not having had any real outdoor fun in a while, I'd almost forgotten how ful-filling it was: immersing myself in woods, water, even weather tends to renew awareness of the richness in life--my life, and that of the world.

I think that the senses can forget things as easily as the mind can. Any kind of sustaining understanding of life requires awareness from both.

I sat down today figuring I should offer some kind of Christmas Eve meditation, though I couldn't think of any to offer. As usual, this major season of the church year, an important moment in many spiritual traditions, actually, doesn't have much impact on me spiritually. But thinking through yesterday's outing and my reaction to it, I may have found my Christmas inspiration. The Feast of the Incarnation is, among other things, a reminder of a sacredness, a light, if you will, within even the humblest of creation's parts. To forget and separate oneself from that creation is to walk in a kind of darkess.

Merry Christmas.