The Real White Christmas

Bing Crosby may have been dreaming of a white Christmas,

but Jesus can make it a reality for you.

"Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow." Isaiah 1:18

Scarlet was the color of a deep-red permanent dye, virtually impossible to remove from clothing. The stain of sin may seem equally permanent, but God can remove sin's stain from our life just as He promised to do for the Israelites. God's Word assures us that if we are willing and obedient (v.19), God will forgive and remove our most indelible stains. He will make us "as clean as freshly fallen snow" (NLT).

"Cleanse me, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7 Because David was truly repentent for committing adultery and murder, God mercifully forgave him. No sin is too bad to be forgiven! Sometimes, I feel separated from God because of having done something wrong. Do you? Well, nothing could be further from the truth. God is waiting for us to confess and repent, to "come clean" as the saying goes, so He can make us truly clean and restore that close fellowship that He longs to have with us.

May this Christmas be one of reconcilation with the God who emptied Himself, took on the appearance of a human and the position of a servant, died the death of a criminal - the death that we deserved, then rose from the dead in total victory! (see Phil. 2)

Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem,

How still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by;

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light;

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee to-night.

For Christ is born of Mary,

And gathered all above,

While mortals sleep, the angels keep

Their watch of wondering love.

O morning stars, together

Proclaim the holy birth!

praises sing to God the King,

And peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently,

The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of his heaven.

No ear may hear his coming,

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him, still

The dear Christ enters in.
Where children pure and happy

Pray to the blessed Child,

O holy Child of Bethlehem!

Descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin and enter in,

Be born in us to-day.

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us,

Our Lord Emmanuel!

Susan