Kept Through Winter Cradled in Christ

Amidst the underbrush blanketed with snow, thrushes fluff their feathered mantles to insulate themselves from the harshness of winter. Berries, nuts, and seeds, long forgotten since autumn, offer the birds a final reserve of nourishment. Dormant insects hiding beneath bark and soil further sustain them.

At the rustle of a snowshoe hare, cloaked in winter white, the birds swiftly take to higher ground. “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them” (Matthew 6:26, NIV).

On a cold and silent night, in a dimly lit manger, the cry of the newborn Jesus rises amidst the lowing of livestock. Steam curls from the tiny body as His parents swaddle Him in scraps of makeshift cloth to warm and protect Him.

An unremarkable shelter cradles the new family as the infant’s mother nurses Him through the night. As we meditate on the coming of winter and the celebration of the nativity, consider these different translations of Jude 1:1. “…to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:1b, NLT). “…to the chosen ones who are wrapped in the love of Father God—kept and guarded for Jesus, the Messiah” (Jude 1:1b, TPT).

Jesus took His first breaths in a humble space where animals were kept, just as prophecy predicted His lowly birth. “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7, NKJV).

Father God kept Jesus in constant care, safe from the wrathful King Herod. “Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.” (Matthew 2:16, ESV). Wrapped in the unfailing love of His heavenly Father, His earthly father, and His mother, Mary, Jesus was tenderly cradled. despite the modest venue of His birth.

Similarly, God keeps all of creation in His care in the unforgiving venue of winter. Just as Jesus was divinely protected until the appointed time of His sacrifice, as seen in John 7:30, so too are the creatures of the earth held within the sustaining hand of the Creator. The Psalms echo this theme—Psalm 104, for example, vividly describes how God provides food, shelter, and seasons for every living thing. Even in times of scarcity, there is a rhythm of divine provision and

preservation. The majesty of God’s creation is covered by His compassion.

Our God, who owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10 NLT), sustains them through the bitter cold with thick winter coats that trap heat and repel snow. He prompts them to eat more, warming them from the inside out as they build up insulating layers of fat.

The fierce grizzly bear becomes vulnerable during hibernation, as God slows its heart rate and metabolism so it can sleep and fast until food returns in the spring. Fish miraculously survive freezing temperatures under His care, protected within their watery homes. They live in the insulated temperatures, conserving their energy and oxygen.

“Even the stork in the sky knows her seasons, and the turtledove, the swallow and the crane observe the time of their return” (Jeremiah 8:7, AMP). The evidence of God’s protection is all around—even in the migratory birds, which are instinctively wired by God to take note of the changing seasons.

Evidence of the Father’s love can be seen even in the intricate life cycles of insects. Consider the butterfly: some overwinter in egg form, remaining dormant. If caught in the cold, the caterpillar instinctively seeks shelter beneath leaf litter or soil, entering a state much like hibernation. The more fortunate pupa spends the winter slumbering within a cocoon—a handmade sleeping bag from God—escaping the cold to emerge in spring as a breathtaking butterfly.

God cares for the tender shoots and seeds. He authors a silent code into their DNA—a design for dormancy when the cold temperatures come. Their hard outer shells and protective seed coats insulate the fragile life within until spring returns. What a joy it is to be “kept in Jesus” at all times—He who even provides a winter jacket for the tiniest of seeds.

This is the God we serve—the God of protection, provision, and safety. He cares deeply and sees to the needs of His creation, holding us close as we are kept in Him. The disciples, the early church, and believers are often described in the Bible as being guarded, preserved, loved, and secured by Jesus Christ, as exemplified in 1 Peter 1:5. John 17:11-12a (ESV) affirms, “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me.” When the disciples chose to follow Jesus, they became “kept” in Him—beloved saints and co-heirs of the Kingdom. The same is true for us when we say yes to Jesus: We are held and cherished in the keeping power of His name.

Winter signifies a season of dormancy and scarcity—a time to take a posture of preservation, endurance, and quiet rest. As believers, we often experience something similar: a spiritual winter, marked by hardship, distance from God, or even isolation. So how do we keep from spiritually hibernating? By fixing our eyes on Jesus and pressing into His presence. If we surrender and allow ourselves to be “kept” by Him, we can remain secure in every season. Being

kept in Christ offers far more than physical safety; it guarantees a future anchored in hope—

protected from spiritual harm and destined for eternal life.

May your reflections on the deep significance of the Nativity this season give you fresh eyes to see the steadfast keeping of God— from the lilies of the field and the birds of the air to present-day believers, and even to Christ Himself, the babe in the manger.

Jenny Foster

Author: Jenny Foster, author and speaker, is passionate about helping people move from adversity to inspiration. The Lord called her to write a book and create an abortion healing ministry called LovedMuch. She enjoys traveling, reading, mentoring, creative writing, and

Bible journaling. You can reach Jenny at jennyfoster.org or author@jennyfoster.org.