Five Snowy Day Family Devotional Ideas

I don’t know about you, but here in the northeast we have gotten hammered with snow.  Now I am not a cold weather person in the least, but I do adore the affect that snow has on kids.  The sheer thrill of snowflakes falling makes every limb of theirs dance stubbornly in their too big for them snowsuits.  Because they love snow, I have pledged to love snow as well.
In Job 37:5-7, the Word says, “God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.  He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’  So that everyone he has made may know his work, he stops all people from their labor.”
I love how that last verse says, “So that everyone he has made may know his work, he stops all people from their labor.”  I believe that just happened here with a foot of snow yesterday.  I can’t tell you how good it was for me to be stopped and made to rest and play with our kids.
So, if this finds you plowed in or if your kids have scored yet another snow day, here are some devotional ideas that you can enjoy as a family.  And, if you happen to live in those warm weather regions for which snow is not an option for you, I would highly suggest an Imaginary Snow Day of your own.  (Sometimes those are the best kind anyway!)
Five Snowy Day Family Devotional Ideas
1.  Build an Igloo: Create a refuge from the wind in an outdoor igloo.  If inside, use a white tablecloth or blanket to cover a table and create a much warmer version.
Read Psalm 147:15-18:  “He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.  He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.”
Where does the snow come from?  Who designs every flake?  What does the snow tell you about God?  What is its purpose?  What are your favorite memories of winter?  Share stories.
Read some of your child’s favorite books about snow.  Some popular children’s picture books on the subject include:  The Jacket I Wear in the Snow, The Mitten, The Snowman, Snowballs, Snowflake Bentley, and many Laura Ingalls Wilder books.
2.  Look out the Window: Pull up a chair and a cup of hot cocoa and watch the snowflakes fall.
Read Psalm 148:7-13:  “Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and women, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted.”
Who is meant to praise the Lord?  How does snow praise God?  How can we praise Him today?
Read Isaiah 55:9-11:  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
What is the purpose of snow?  What does it do for the earth?  In these verses, God compares rain and snow to what?  What does His word do?  Why should it be important to us?
3.  Construct Snowflakes: Take a square white piece of paper and fold it into a triangle.   Repeat the triangular fold.  With scissors, cut out shapes and designs along the sides of the triangle.  Open the snowflake, glue it to a sturdier piece of paper, add glitter, attach a ribbon, and hang as a mobile.  Create multiple snowflakes.  (We hung ours from our chandelier.)
Discuss how each snowflake is a new creation of God.  If God takes such great care to design each flake, how much more care did He take in designing you?  Read Psalm 119:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Ask your child to identify the gifts that God has given them.  Take this opportunity to love your child with encouragement, with statements like, “I love how God put sensitivity on your heart.  You care deeply about others.”  Or, “I love how God made you aggressive.  You will fight for what is right and I am proud of that.”
4.  Go Ice Skating: Take your skates to the nearest rink and practice standing firm.  Have them think about what is needed to stand upright and not fall.  For preschool children, attach wax paper to their feet, turn on some praise music, and have them go ice skating indoors.
Read 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.  Do everything in love.”
Discuss how hard it is to stand firm on a slippery surface.  It takes a lot of practice, balance, and hard work.  It is also difficult to stand firm in this world of sin.  The same characteristics are needed to not fall.  What can we do as a family to help you stand firm in your faith?  Will you be willing to help me be courageous in mine?
Read Psalm 121: 2-4, “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”
5.  Make Footprints in the Snow: Observe your own prints in the back yard.  Spell out words in the snow for others to read.  Look for other prints also and attempt to identify them.
Read Psalm 77:18-20, “Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.  Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”
Discuss how God saved the Israelites from the Egyptians.  Were God’s footprints seen?  How did they know that it was Him who was saving them?  Though God doesn’t leave visible footprints, He does direct our steps and assures us that He is there.  How does He do that?  Have you ever felt God with you?  What was that like?
Can you think of someone whose footprints you would like to follow?  For example, someone who loves God and shows it with his or her life?  Tell me what you notice about that person.  We all need good examples in our lives.  Write a thank you to that person.
What about us?  Are we making footprints that follow God or are we leading others in a wrong direction?  Who may be following us?  Who can we be a good example for?
What are some of your favorite things to do in the winter with your family?  How have you incorporated God’s Word into this season?  Please leave a comment below and explain!  Thanks!