Vivaldi Winter Largo

'The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.' (Jn. 1:5) In the opening movement of Vivaldi's powerful Winter concerto* we hear the sharp and strident sounds of a storm, prompting us to cry out to the Lord both for protection and for His justice to prevail in many challenging situations. This second movement offers a different perspective of winter. A lovely and lyrical violin sings over busy pizzicato (plucked) strings. Winter brings more than its share of icy storms and other hazards, but it also brings scenes of astonishingly beautiful crystalline transparency. May the Lord shed the light of His clarity and presence on many who find themselves either in the midst of a storm, or bowed down in unrelenting dreariness. '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.' (Is. 55:10-11) *https://on.soundcloud.com/bOtxZQBkKdISMOiFEe