As Christmas draws near, the Adirondacks are cloaked in a quiet splendor. Snow blankets the evergreens, the lakes are frozen in stillness, and the sharp, bracing air carries the scent of pine and firewood. For many of us, this season reminds us of something deeper: the enduring light of Christ.

Camp in winter is a different world from the bustling summers we know. The laughter of campers and the sound of canoes slicing through OK Slip Pond are replaced with the soft crunch of boots in the snow and the whisper of the wind through the trees. But even in this stillness, there’s a story being told—a story of hope, anticipation, and light breaking into the darkness.

Christmas is much like those quiet Adirondack winters. It’s a moment to pause, to reflect, to wonder. Just as Camp’s tall trees have stood through countless seasons, Christmas calls us to remember God’s unchanging faithfulness. It’s a season that centers on a promise fulfilled: the birth of Christ, the Light of the World.

One of the most cherished moments at camp is the lighting of the evening campfire. The flames draw us together, illuminating faces, creating warmth, and anchoring us in a moment of shared purpose. In the same way, Christmas invites us to gather around the story of Jesus’ birth. It’s a light that pierces through our own struggles, doubts, and fears, offering the same peace and hope that has guided generations before us.

This Christmas, whether you’re surrounded by family or find yourself in a quieter place, may the light of Christ find you. May it remind you of the joy and simplicity of a summer at camp, the clarity found in the Adirondack air, and the truth that God is with us—Emmanuel.

From all of us at Northern Frontier, we pray this season fills your heart with wonder and your home with warmth. May the Light of the World guide you in this season and through every trail ahead.

Merry Christmas from Northern Frontier Camp!