(This is a first in a three part series on God, snow and winter. Part Two is Here and part three is here)
My wife walks in a winter wonderland at Fontenelle Forest in Nebraska
Turn on the radio enough times this month and no doubt you will hear the lyrics, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. Just like the ones I used to know.” Stop by any card shop and you’re bound to see cards with picturesque winter scenes of fresh piles of snow. Images such as these make me wonder what it is about snow that draws us to these peaceful snowy scenes.
Reality reveals that most people don’t like snow. I would not include myself in that statement, but most people are not like me. They dread the season of snow, yet the idea of a Norman Rockwell or Victorian winter wonderland attracts them. Perhaps there is more to snow?
When I look at the things of nature I often ask the question, “What does this tell me about God?” When I look at snow, it reminds me of perfect purity. Most of us find something attractive about that perfect purity and we crave it. The Bible teaches us that, that perfect purity, which draws us, can only come from God.
Snow and God’s Holiness
God calls us to His purity and holiness.
Snow tells us something of the purity and holiness of God. We can find nothing on earth whiter than snow. Nothing exists that is purer and holier than God.
Holiness sets God apart from all created beings. It refers to God’s majesty and His perfect moral purity. There is absolutely no sin or evil thought in God at all. Exodus 15:11 says, “Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?” (NASB). God is Holy.
In Isaiah it says, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow.” Think about that awesome thought. Though our sins mark us red, we are made as white a snow because of the work Christ has done. He gives us His righteousness—His holiness. “He {The Father} made Him {Christ} who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB).
Just as snow covers the earth with a blanket of white Christ covers those who believe making us as white as snow.
When snow falls it covers everything with its purity. That is what Christ does to us. He covers believers with His pure righteousness when we repent and follow after Him. Both Matt 28:3 and Revelation 1:14 use snow as a metaphor for Christ’s purity. He makes that purity we crave available to us.
Think of what happens when the sun finally comes out. If you take a walk in new fallen snow on a sunny day, you will see every little snowflake reflect the light of the sun. When we walk in the purity of Christ we reflect His light to the World. And even though we sometimes might appear too bright for some, we still need to reflect God’s light.
When the snow begins to fall and cover the earth with its purity, think about that blanket of white Christ offers those who believe. He can make you white as snow.
Further Reading
God calls as to be Holy as He is holy