White As Snow

We, who live in Central Ohio enjoyed and delighted in a wonderful White Christmas last weekend, our first in ten years!  It was cold, beautiful, quiet, wet, heavy, and about 4 inches deep where I live.  It was perfect timing to set our hearts in the spirit of Christmas, though it was a bit tricky driving home from Christmas Eve services.  On Christmas morning, I fed the birds who were already gathering.  There were about 10 red cardinals in my cherry tree showing up brightly in the snowy backdrop.  The other birds seemed equally as vibrant.  I could identify the criss-crossing tracks of deer that had come through the yard after dark.  I saw the tracks of a rabbit hopping, the loping squirrel tracks, the tiny bird footprints, and even Marley’s little puppy paws!  Everything had a covering of fresh, clean, white snow.  You couldn’t even see my 400’ driveway, covered in white!  Even if you hate snow, you can’t deny its beauty!

The Bible speaks of snow, too!  It seems especially fitting that it would snow when we were celebrating Christ’s birth, His coming, when the time was right, for Him to cover the red blot of our sins and make reconciliation for us to His Father, God.  Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now and let us reason together, says the Lord.  Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool”.  God was not even able to look upon His son who became sin for us, when He died on the cross.  “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me”?  (Matthew 27:46)

David pleaded in Psalm 51: 7, 9-14, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.  Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me”.  God hates sin but He loves the sinner. 

Daniel speaks of an exciting vision he had of Christ’s return in chapter 7: 9, 10, 13 – 14, “As I looked, thrones were set in place and the Ancient of Days, took His seat.  His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of His head was white like wool.  His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.  A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before Him. Thousands upon thousands attended Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.  The court was seated, and the books were opened.  In my vision at night, I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.  He approached the Ancient of Days, and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all people, nations and men of every language worshipped Him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed”. 

One day, Christ will return as a groom for His bride, the Church, and we who have been forgiven will be dressed in white.  “I will come as a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white.  I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before My Father and His angels.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3: 3 – 6). 

I look everyday toward the Eastern sky and wonder if this will be the day.  I am ready for His return.  Are you?

White as snow, White as snow Though my sins were as scarlet
Lord, I know; Lord, I know;
That I’m clean and forgiven.
Through the power of your blood,
Through the wonder of your love,
Through faith in You I know, That I can be White as snow,
White as snow, White as snow. -Maranatha Singers