Celebrating the Ultimate Washing

The rustle of the dry leaves taunt me. Dirty brown and dull gray assault my eyes.

What I want is the pure white of snow. A clean covering that makes all sparkle. A blanket of brilliance that covers up the ugly and rough.

It’s not really the look of the outside landscape I’m looking to hide, but me. My inside. My ugliness. My repeat failures.

Why do I continue to say the same hurtful things–the words I try desperately to hold in? Why do I continue to do what I wish I wouldn’t?

I want to take them back. I want a redo.

But a whitewash can do little to help. I may look good on the outside but the inside would still be filthy.

That’s the real reason for this season of hope and promise. That’s why we celebrate Christmas. That’s why we croon “O Holy Night” and belt out “Angels We Have Heard On High.”

We celebrate Christmas because we need to be reminded that in Christ we no longer remain a mess. The Lord on high came down to clean us up. Joy abounds at the birth of the Christ-child because He took on our wretched sin, so we could be purified from the inside out. So we could be worthy to be in the presence of a holy and righteous God … forever.

The Savior and Redeemer came to us as a human babe not to make us look good, but to make us anew.

By the washing of His blood, He makes us sparkling, pure, holy, clean. Not just a coverup, but a true transformation. The sacrificial Lamb makes us worthy to be forever in His presence.

The Lord creates in us a new heart. He gives us more than our redo, our restart. He gives us new life. All we have to do is open our hearts to Him.

Immanuel is indeed with us and in us! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

That’s more than enough reason to celebrate.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

Share in the Discussion: How are you celebrating your ultimate washing this Christmas? 

Linking with Ann Voskamp for my Joy Dare list  for Multitude Mondays (#1266–1286, read them all by clicking here):

• Decorating our barn escape for Christmas w/ all but oldest; Privilege to worship openly; Light snow much of the day
• Fabulous high school Christmas concert; Fell on repaired knee yesterday–seems to be ok; Unexpected breather in crazy days
• Walking with my daughter thru snow-topped grass; Seat warmers on cold days; Praying for others
• Red sky spreading over the horizon; Cherry red cheeks from the cold; Cleansing blood of Jesus
• The everlasting Light of Christ; Gift of laughter; Candles of every size
• Daniel home safe for Christmas; Stringing lights in the kitchen w/ Joey; Going to a movie with my family and friends
• Family day; Worship & praise from little ones at church Christmas program; Christmas tree hunting, cutting, & decorating