“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
Isaiah 1:18 NKJV
The tension that we face in our culture, we long for peace, yet lack the courage to grab it….This is the third sermon in our Advent series, White as Snow. If you’ve been with us over the past couple of weeks, you’ll remember this series draws its title from Isaiah 1:18, where the prophet declares: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”
Inspired by the Spirit, Isaiah spoke to a people burdened and weighed down by sin. Their transgressions were innumerable, staining them deeply. Yet, in the midst of this, Isaiah prophesied something incredible—that one day, those scarlet sins would be made white as snow.
Peace Isn’t the Absence of Problems; It’s the Presence of Jesus in Our Lives
Take a moment to reflect on that image. When sin rules our lives, keeping us distant from Jesus, we often feel the absence of peace. Whether it’s the uneasiness of trying to overcome a hurdle we just can’t seem to clear, or the weight of doing what we know we shouldn’t—or failing to do what we know we should—the lack of peace becomes undeniable.
As I was studying and preparing over the past few weeks, I had a thought about the impact snow has on people. There was an article in Time titled, Why People Love Snow So Much. The list, while easy to guess, was also easy to agree with. Snow brings nostalgia from childhood and other memories associated with snow. There is an engages our senses, sitting in your favorite chair with the windows open, a pot of stew or chili on the stove brings a wonderful scene to be present in. Most of the time, snow creates a slower pace. Snow days meant lazy days. While it is lazy, there is a sense of adventure and fun– to get outside and play in the snow. As I read the article and looked at the highlighted points, my mind could not help but drift off into those moments that have been secured in my mind, special moments inside of the conversation with snow.
There’s something uniquely calming about it. The stillness, the quiet—it brings a sense of peace that’s hard to explain. Growing up in Oklahoma, I remember those snowstorms that blanketed everything. Even in the chaos of kids playing and dogs running through the drifts, there was a stillness in the air, a peace that settled over everything.
One of my favorite memories is tied to such a moment. I was young, and my dad woke me up in the middle of the night—or what I thought was the middle of the night. Outside, the sky was alive with snowflakes, reflecting in the light and making everything glow. Bundled up, my parents and I stepped outside into the wonder of it all. The air was filled with laughter, joy, and the beauty of fresh snow. Even now, that memory reminds me of a time of peace and presence when the world felt still, and I was surrounded by love.
A few weeks ago, I experienced something similar while skiing. The snowstorm wasn’t supposed to arrive until evening, but as we rode the lift, I could see it moving in. By the afternoon, it was snowing steadily. The slopes became quieter, the runs smoother, and everything slowed down. That night, as the snow continued to fall, we sat by a window, warm and content. The snow brought peace—not just to the mountain, but to us as well.
God’s Redemption Covers Our Lives Like a Fresh Blanket of Snow
This image of peace through snow helps us understand what Isaiah saw and why he could proclaim such a hopeful message. It wasn’t just a poetic metaphor; it was a promise rooted in God’s redemptive plan. The peace Isaiah spoke of wasn’t just about external stillness but an inner calm that comes through redemption—a peace made possible through Jesus Christ.
Last week, we explored the incarnation—God becoming human to dwell with us. Today, we turn to the why behind it. Why did Christ come? What purpose did His life on earth serve?
17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
John 3:17 NKJV
Jesus didn’t come to simply share a meal or host a gathering. His mission was far greater—nothing less than the redemption of mankind.
Redemption is the Bridge to Peace with God
So what is redemption? Perhaps it’s a word you’ve heard often but haven’t deeply considered. Simply put, redemption is the act of being saved from sin, error, or evil. But for us as believers, redemption isn’t just a concept—it’s a person. Our redemption is Jesus. He is the light that pierces the darkness, the peace that calms the storm, and the Savior who makes our scarlet sins white as snow.
Today, we’ll explore the depth of this redemption and the peace it brings into our lives. My prayer is that we see how Christ frees us from darkness and draws us into His everlasting peace.
Freed From Darkness
Colossians 1:9-15
Jesus Frees Us From the Prison of Darkness
“Psychologists tell us that one of the most difficult conditions a person can be forced to bear is light deprivation. Darkness… separates us from reality. It disorients a person both physically and psychologically… It can drive them to madness.”
Joan Chittister, author of Between the Dark and the Night
The Light of Jesus Christ is Peaceful
A Palace of Perfection
Revelation 21:22-27
Heaven is not just a Place, It is the Presence of God’s Perfect Peace
The Peace of Jesus is not a Feeling, it is a Reality that is Present for Eternity
Peaceful Redemption Through Jesus
Ephesians 1:6-10
In Christ, Every Promise Is a ‘Yes,’ and Every ‘Yes’ Brings Peace.
20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV
God Doesn’t Ask for Repayment. Instead, He Offers Forgiveness as Peaceful as Falling Snow.
Reflection & Response
What is causing chaos and conflict in your life right now?
Is there something in your life that you know you need to say “no” to, but fear is holding you back?
Redemption through Jesus makes us white as snow—clean, forgiven, free, and having Peace.
Think about that for a moment: You’re free. Free from your past life of sin. Free from the darkness. Free from shame and guilt. Your debt has been settled once and for all—you are free.
Yet, for many of us, the holiday season doesn’t always feel like freedom. Instead, it can feel rushed, exhausting, and like a glaring reminder of all the things we don’t have and can’t do. The songs of joy and cheer may feel hollow as if they’re forced from our mouths, while deep inside, we feel drained and weary.
Maybe you can relate. If so, let me offer you this: for everything you don’t have, and for all the things you can’t do, you have something more valuable than anything this world can offer. Something no shopping cart or Amazon box could ever deliver.
You have JESUS.
In Him, you have redemption—the forgiveness of sins. In Him, all the promises of God are “Yes.” In Him, you have a constant companion—Immanuel, God with us. And because of Jesus, your debt has been completely settled. You stand before God as pure and clean as freshly fallen snow.
The image of snow is more than poetic; it’s deeply symbolic of our peace in Christ. Snow doesn’t just cover the ground—it transforms the landscape. Science shows that it does more than just look beautiful. According the article I mentioned earlier, snow uniquely dampens sound, creating stillness and quiet that is almost otherworldly. The article explains that the soft surface of snow absorbs sound waves, reducing noise levels and bringing a sense of peace. Isn’t that what Christ does for our souls? He absorbs the chaos of our lives—the noise of guilt, shame, and striving—and replaces it with His stillness, His calm, His peace.