JEFFREY SWAINSTON, CHAPLAIN
872 S. Waverly Road
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
(616) 405-6921
revjeff82@gmail.com

JANUARY/FEBRUARY​ 2026 GRANGE NEWS

​From Christmas Light to Winter Faith
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The glow of Christmas does not vanish when the decorations are put away. The candles may be extinguished and the carols grow quieter, yet the light of Christ continues to shine, especially as we enter the long, cold weeks of winter.
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Winter has a way of slowing us down. The days are shorter, the nights longer, and the pace of life often turns inward. In Scripture, some of God’s deepest work happens in such seasons. Seeds lie hidden beneath frozen ground, unseen but very much alive. So it is with our faith. After the joy and celebration of Christmas, we need to nurture what God has planted in us.
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The season after Christmas reminds us that Christ is still being revealed. The story did not end in the manger. Jesus grew, taught, healed, and called ordinary people to follow him. During winter, we too are called to keep walking with Christ, even when the path feels quiet or the days feel heavy.
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For many, winter can be challenging. Illness lingers, loneliness can deepen, and the cold can feel relentless. This is a season to be especially attentive. We need to check on one another, to offer warmth in practical ways, and to remember that God’s presence is not dependent on sunshine or celebration. The Emmanuel of Christmas is still “God with us” in January and February.
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Winter also offers us the gift of time. Time to pray more deeply, to read Scripture more slowly, to listen more carefully for God’s voice. Just as the shepherds pondered what they had seen and heard, we should be carrying the message of Christmas into our everyday lives, into our homes, our work, and our relationships.
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As we move through the cold months ahead, may we trust that God is at work even when we cannot see it. Beneath the frozen ground, new life is forming. In God’s time, it will rise again.
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Until then, we should walk together in faith and keep the light of Christ burning brightly in our hearts.

MARCH/APRIL 2026​ GRANGE NEWS

Spring Is Just Around the Corner

To everything there is a season, and as winter’s frost begins to thaw, spring arrives as a divine invitation to renewal, restoration, and growth.

Just as the earth awakens from its wintry slumber, our souls have "spring seasons" where God invites us to step forward into fresh beginnings. This transition teaches us several core spiritual truths.

Spring serves as a powerful metaphor for the resurrection, showing that God can bring life out of what appeared dead or dormant. While winter is often marked by silence, spring is marked by noise, the audible call of the Lord to get up and "get your hands dirty" in the work He is doing.

We cannot force the seasons to change. Only God changes the times and seasons. This shift reminds us to rest in His sovereign timing rather than our own. To embrace this spiritual spring, consider these intentional steps. Just as a gardener removes dead debris to allow sun to reach new growth, ask God what "dead leaves" of old habits or negative thought patterns need to be cleared away. Growth often happens underground first. If you don’t see instant results, trust that God is working in the "subterranean" places of your life. Spring is an invitation to sow seeds of faith. Take time to be in communication with God through prayer to hear where He is calling you to plant next. 

Prayer for the Season
Father, I thank You for Your faithfulness that remains steady even as seasons change. Thaw the places in my heart that have grown cold or dormant. Give me the courage to arise with the new life You are bringing and to trust Your timing for every bloom. Amen.

Song of Solomon 2:11-12: "For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come.”



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