Day 2
Monday, November 28
Nancy Bradley
Soon “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” will be ubiquitous, serenading us in stores, while children will pine eagerly for snow as well. What is it about snow that makes it so desirable, to young and old alike? It’s lovely for sure, making bright the short, dark days of winter. And it also hides the unraked leaves and any unsightly debris left in the yard! It has long been an image of something pure, that covers and makes clean. Indeed, both King David in Psalm 51 and the prophet Isaiah in Chapter 1 refer to the forgiveness that God offers to the penitent as making us white as snow. What a lovely picture for those who are willing to confess their transgressions and ask God to forgive sin and make clean.
We don’t typically think about sin and the need for repentance during Advent. Instead, becoming distracted by all the season’s busyness, we lose sight of the reason for the season. But in fact, preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ should help us focus on our need for his coming. We have erred and strayed like lost sheep and done evil in his sight. And while our confession of iniquity no longer requires animal blood sacrifice, sacrifice is nonetheless needed. Jesus’ arrival, in a lowly stable, marks the end of offering animal sacrifice for the cleansing of our sins. The Son’s ultimate sacrifice is a once-for-all provision that inaugurates for us a new standing with the Father whose raiment is also often described as white as snow. His coming offers each of us a spiritual deep-clean, brightening and whitening, which is surely better coverage than any blizzard over the fallen leaves of autumn. Oh come, let us worship!
Nancy lives in Wellesley and is blessed to have 12 grandchildren.