Scripture

“Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (Psalm. 51:7).

Decorations

Hang paper snowflakes and white strands of lights around the room. Use clear glass vases of baby’s breath for centerpieces. These can be sprayed with silver glitter. Tie a light blue ribbon around the vases.

Refreshments

Serve snowflake covered pretzel pops and homemade hot chocolate. Check the Internet for recipes. Other ideas include: Powdered sugar donut holes (anything dusted with powdered sugar looks like snow has fallen on it), coconut cake or snowflake (coconut) topped cupcakes.

Craft Projects

Snowflake Puzzle Ornaments

These snowflake ornaments take some time to dry, but it is a very quick and easy project.

Supplies

• Scrap of cardboard cut into a circle about 1 1/2” in diameter
• Hot glue guns
• Puzzle pieces (all pieces should be similarly shaped)
• White acrylic paint and sponge tipped brushes
• 6” of thin ribbon to hang the ornament
• Glitter or silver gem decorations

Directions

Glue three puzzle pieces onto the circle, at equal distances, leaving enough space to put another piece in between them. Glue three more puzzle pieces in between the first three. Paint with the white acrylic paint. While the snowflake is still wet, sprinkle with glitter and let them dry completely. If desired, glue on gems to add additional sparkle and shine. Glue pieces of ribbon onto the back to make a hanger. Check Pinterest (Search under “snowflake ornaments puzzle pieces”) for detailed instructions and images of the finished craft.

Snowflake Votive Candle Holders

Paint clear votive candleholders with decoupage glue, covering completely. Wait for the glue to become tacky. Pour Epsom salts onto the tacky glue. Finish the project by spraying with a clear gloss sealant. As the candlelight shines through the votive, the salts will sparkle.

Whiter Than Snow

There is nothing quite like a freshly-fallen snow. In the immediate moments after the snow first falls it inspires awe and wonder. It is simply beautiful. It is clean, spotlessly white and untainted by the effects of the world onto which it has fallen. On a clear, sunny day we can hardly look at the snow, as it is so pure, so perfectly reflecting the light of the sun that it is almost blinding. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for that pristine nature of snow to be soiled. Instead of being pure white, the snow becomes darkened with chunks of mud and dirt. We can hardly look at it because we really don’t want this dirty snow around anymore.

In Psalm 51 David acknowledges that his life had become dirty, ugly and tainted with the dark stain of sin. It may have started with the obvious “big sins,” but in even less obvious ways David knows just how far he has fallen from the standard of faithfulness, love and purity that God desired of him. In verse 7 he cries out to God. “Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” David pleads with God to do the very thing that only God can do—take his heart that looks like that dirty, muddy snow and remove every trace of impurity so that it would once again be spotless white.

We may not be able to identify with David’s sins of adultery and murder, but we all have big and small ways in which we have sinned. Each of us can identify moments in our lives where we did not live up to God’s standard of love and purity. We cannot, in our own power, do anything about the stain of sin on our lives. But this is the great miracle of God. He is willing to remove every great stain and every tiny speck of sin so that, in the perfect purity He gives, we are able to reflect His light just as the snow reflects the brilliance of the sun. By reflecting His glorious light, others will see that light and may come to know God for themselves.

In this New Year, let’s make it our goal to be like that pure white snow. Remember pure snow has awe–inspiring purity and beauty. When we accept Him as Lord, we reflect His love. When sin comes into our lives, it mars that beauty. When we ask Him, we can receive His forgiveness and He can completely remove the stain of sin. First, thank Him for the truth that no sin is beyond the reach of His grace. Second, like the freshly-fallen snow reflects the dazzling light of the sun, demonstrate His love, goodness and forgiveness to others. Pray that they will see His light in your life.

Closing Song and Prayer

In closing sing song #721, “Whiter Than Snow,” from The Salvation Army Song Book. Pray asking that the Holy Spirit will do a great work of cleansing in your life, so that you will live in the purity that He desires. Pray that you will shine in purity in your community, especially to those who do not know the Lord, and that through the reflection of His light in your life that they might come to see the light of God.