My new verse “Praise God from Whom All Blizzards Flow” was born on January 18, 2019. Two months later, winter has not yet relinquished its icy grip. We’ve run through the alphabet of storm names all the way to Winter Storm Ulmer. And that light-hearted blizzard doxology has been shared many thousands of times on social media, hopefully brightening the long, snowy season.

Snow in the air, and Linda on the air

Viral postings of the blizzard doxology led to an invitation from WWIB FM in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin to join their Wake-Up Show host Caleb Svendsen for a radio interview. (My segment starts at the 2:00 mark, with Caleb’s brother Josh singing his own version of the blizzard doxology.) It was 25 below at their location when I called in, and only a little warmer here in the Susquehanna Valley. Brrr! But we had a fun chat, and we warmed up one lucky giveaway winner with a signed copy of Now Sings My Soul: New Songs for the Lord.

Singing the faith in all circumstances

God only knows how many chilly church choirs and congregations have sung the blizzard doxology, but Googling the hymn title produced a few hints.

Here’s a nice rendition by Pastor David Hewitt at King of Glory, Carmel, Indiana.

2019.01.20 | Pastor David Hewitt | Praise God From Whom All Blizzards Flow from KOGCarmel on Vimeo.

And from the little congregation of Holy Cross in Burlington, Ontario Canada:

Edit: Just found a video on Facebook from a very well-rehearsed youth choir at St. Ann Catholic Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina:

Here’s the choir of West Lebanon Congregational Church, one of the few churches in New Hampshire that braved the blizzard to hold a Sunday worship service on January 20, 2019:

And the Sanctuary Choir of All Saints Lutheran Church, ELCA in Cottage Grove, Minnesota:

A different faith song

Meanwhile, areas farther south have sung a different tune. Melting snow, heavy rain, and driving winds and tornados have caused widespread devastation. No laughing matter there. But people of faith continue to call upon the Lord to hold them close through the storm and walk with them as they struggle through the aftermath. Let’s raise prayers for their safety, still praising the God of strength and compassion.

Blessings,
Linda

A blizzard of shares

Last Friday I woke up to a weekend forecast calling for heavy snow and icy mixes across the Northeast. Area churches were already canceling Sunday services to keep their congregations safe at home. I’m not a fan of arctic weather. But we are called to give thanks and praise in all circumstances, even blizzards.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NRSV

So I penned a lighthearted but sincere doxology verse to fit the snowy circumstances and posted it on Facebook. Amazingly, this simple little ditty was shared and re-shared on Facebook more than 3,500 times in its first three days of existence. Churches in the USA and Canada have contacted me for permission to use it. Winter Storm Harper has come and gone, but the avalanche of interest in “Praise God from Whom All Blizzards Flow” keeps on rolling.

The tune in my score, pictured above, is LASST UNS ERFREUEN (“All Creatures of Our God and King”). My home church sings “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” to that tune (United Methodist Hymnal #94). If you are accustomed to the OLD 100th setting (UMH #95), you can sing my text to that tune by skipping the parts in parentheses. Too bad—you’ll have to drop the snowballs!

Praise God from whom all blizzards flow,
when snow comes down and cold winds blow.
(Alleluia! Alleluia!)
Praise God for shovels, gloves, and plows
when four-foot drifts surround your house.
(If more snow falls,
praise for snowballs.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!)

There is majesty in God’s wintry gifts, and some fun too. Truly our Creator is worthy of praise in the midst of it all!

Stay warm and safe, my friends. And keep singing!
Blessings,
Linda