This is one of those we’ll-laugh-about-it-later times, isn’t it? [Keyword: later.]
Last weekend the ice storm that hit much of southeastern Michigan left us with a breathtaking view of nature. Behold: 
It also left us with no power for the better part of a week. Christmas week, no less. So that’s fun.
We made it work. We scrounged up food that could be cooked over the gas stove and played some games to keep children occupied (what did people do before tech toys and tv?). We even packed up the contents of Christmas morning (including over 100 presents for the 14 people they would go to) and caravanned to my brother’s [warm] house to commence Christmas 2013.
What a week. It was cold and dark, but it was still Christmas.
Our church’s Christmas Eve service still happened, and it was a timely reminder that Jesus Christ is no stranger to cold and dark.
From Riches to Rags
Jesus, the babe born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago, left the perfection and grandeur of Heaven to come to a world where hearts are cold and deeds are dark. He left the fame of Glory and came to an unremarkable city, where He slept, humiliatingly, in a feeding trough. He came to rescue a people, a world, who didn’t want to be rescued. In fact, they [we] didn’t even like Him.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. John 1:9-10
Jesus Christ came to a cold, dark world. He came to give life, light, and love. He came to be the glory of God, to show us grace and truth. He came to adopt us. He came to be with us.
But to all who did receive Him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:12, 14
Despite the darkness and chill, Jesus Christ still came. He still loves.
And He sure knows what it’s like to spend Christmas in the cold and dark.
Emily Gehman | Storytelling Coach 
Thank you Emily for your well stated reflections. They cause us all to pause and reflect on that one greatest gift given, the Christ. I’m not at all amazed that our God would love you and your family so much, as to borrow from nature and the elements to afford you the simple joys of a primative Christmas. Much like the star of old, the weather caused you to pause from the routine and enjoy something totally new. Abruptly invading the darkness of our failed and hopeless humanity, the light of His first advent radiates miraculous hope with never ending possibilities. Hopefully a large portion of your 100,000 plus fellow Michiganders who were without power were equslly as insightful as you! – Dwight Baldwin
*equally
Thanks, Dwight! I’ll say it took a while for us to get to the “enjoying” part, but we made it. Definitely a Christmas to remember! Hope yours was delightful, too!