Little lights in the darkness

Good morning friends,

This picture was the scene the other morning as I wandered out from Braehead House for my daily walk. It was a cold dank, sleety morning, and it had been a real thought to get my waterproof gear on and leave the cozieness of my room.

But, as I set off, something caught my eye, like a light.........and there.....under the trees....I saw that the Snow drops had burst through the cold dank earth.......and not just a few, but a whole swathe like a carpet of lights..........and I shouted out loud for joy!

These little tiny fragile looking flowers appear each year, these little heralds of the good news that Spring is coming. An encouragement to all who witness them that the long dark winter days will surely end.

These tiny flowers were a favourite of St Francis who spoke of them being a symbol of hope, which they are to us too.

It’s interesting that these tiny flowers appear each year around the Christian celebration of Candlemas which falls each year on Feb 2nd .

Candlemas marks the time when Jesus was presented in the Temple.

On this day in some traditions candles are lit in churches as a symbol of jeus, the Light of the World and are blessed for their use throughout the years just as Jesus was blessed by the elderly priest Simeon.

You may be interested to know that the protruding shoots of the snowdrop are particularly hard and capable of breaking through the frost hardened soil, and not only that but the energy generated by the little snowdrop is actually capable of melting the snow under which it may find itself. It’s no wonder is it that snowdrops were very quickly perceived to be little white symbolic beacons of hope transforming a dark world into one of light. Indeed, some have thought that these Candlemas bells look like little lamps shining in the darkness.

Keep a look out then, in your garden, or as you walk along the lanes, and marvel at these wee flowers, little beacons of hope to cheer us on our way.

God bless your days,

Elizabeth

The Snowdrop Anna Bunston De Bary

“Close to the sod There can be seen A thought of God In white and green. Unmarred, unsoiled It cleft the clay, Serene, unspoiled It views the day. It is so holy And yet so lowly. Would you enjoy Its grace and dower And not destroy The living flower? Then you must, please, Fall on your knees.”