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By Shari Abbott, Reasons for Hope* Jesus

White is such a beautiful color.  Or is it?  Is it really a color, or is it the purity of not being tainted by a color.  With paints, if you add just a smidgen of another color to white it takes on the hue of the color added.  It is no longer white, it is no longer pure.

When we think of a white Christmas we always think of snow covered scenes.  The Internet showcased numerous pictures last week of God’s city, Jerusalem, which was hit with a record-breaking, wintry storm producing a winter wonderland perfect for a white Christmas (see pictures at end of article).

Everyone’s heart is warmed by a beautiful snow scene.  Why?  Because it appears so pure and clean.  But snow never stays that way.  Without fresh-fallen snow on a daily basis, the snow on the ground become dirty and ugly.

It’s just like our lives.  When Christ imputed His righteousness to us, He clothed us with salvation and gave us His pure, sinless righteousness:

Isaiah 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

And yet while we live on this earth we stain that garment daily with sins.  Let the beauty of a white Christmas (or, for those in warm climates, the scenes of a white Christmas) be a reminder to flee from sin and pursue righteousness living (1 Timothy 6:11).  Just as a snow covered landscape needs fresh fallen snow daily to remain white, we need “manna from heaven” daily to live in accordance with God’s will.  Read your Bible and pray every day.  Think of it as fresh fallen snow, or your manna (bread) from Heaven.

One day we will put off the human flesh and put on the pure white garment that will never again be soiled or stained:

Revelation 3:5  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment

This garment will forever, throughout all eternity, be pure white.  It will be as Christ’s garment, which Peter, James and John saw on the Mount of Transfiguration:

Mark 9:3  And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow

So this holiday season, as you watch the pure white snow fall (or see it in pictures of Jerusalem and other places), commit to knowing the Lord better, loving the Lord more and living according to His will and ways, until the day when you receive the “white raiment” that will never be stained — the raiment promised in Revelation 3:5 –  and then you’ll join the heavenly hosts in praising the One is worthy:

Revelation 4:4  And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Revelation 4:10, 11  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. 

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Revelation 4:8

 

Winter in Jerusalem:

jerusalemsnow

The Season of Advent (the 4 weeks before Christmas)

Will You Find Rest This Advent Season?
HOPE Advent Candle 1 –  Prophecy Gives Hope (video)
LOVE Advent Candle 2 – Promise Reveals Love (video)
JOY Advent Candle 3 – Jesus Is Our Joy (video)

PEACE Advent Candle 4 – Pause to Find Peace (video)
Christmas Day: When Love Was Born — Light the CHRIST Candle

Christmas-themed GOT QUESTIONS?

Christmas-themed Articles

Christmas-themed Videos

Have You Heard About This Baby Boy?  A most beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, with a Christmas message to touch your heart and give joy to your soul.

Cohen Hallelujah Christmas Version

 

 

 

Christmas-themed GOT QUESTIONS?

Christmas-themed Articles

Christmas Word Search Puzzles

Scripture from: Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, and John.  A Christmas message from “In the Bleak Midwinter”

Christmas-themed Videos

Have You Heard About This Baby Boy?  A most beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, with a Christmas message to touch your heart and give joy to your soul.

Cohen Hallelujah Christmas Version

 

 

 

 

 

Make Some Scripture Cookies – Fun for the Whole Family!

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