Winter and Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossoms come soon in season. The modest, gentle pink flowers bloom and falltogether like snow. We, Japanese like them so much. They represent winter gone andthe new season’s beginning. This is why we gather to enjoy the cherry blossoms andfeast under the trees.

Many people love spring. It is full of new expectations. People also like autumn because it is the season of harvesting fruits. Leaves change color to yellow and red. Many also like summer as it is filled with life and energy. The growth of plants andthe active animals are very energetic, full of excitement of life.

Cherry blossoms endure the cold winter before they even bud. Because they are still instoring energy, they can bloom beautifully in spring. Winter is sometimes seen like avillain and people do not like it very much. It’s known as the dark severe season wherenothing blooms nor bears and blows away all the leaves on the trees making them bare.However, it’s said that if there were no winter, i.e. no season of severe dormancy orhibernation, most plants and animals would not be able to live lively as they are. In thesame way, the cherry blossoms would not bloom beautifully if it weren’t for this winter. Itdoesn’t just bloom because the winter is over, but because it got through, the flowersbloom, becoming verdurous and grow.

The life of resurrection was completed after the death of Christ on the Cross. Throughtrials and sufferings, new glory of the Lord blooms. Let us praise the One who created allseasons and count our blessings as we enjoy this season of spring!

Pastor Takeshi