See Amid the Winter’s Snow (Advent: Day 5)

One of the most meaningful things about Advent hymns is the worshipful nature of both the music and the lyrics. Somehow the combination of the two evokes a soul stirring response of praise and worship in our hearts. This hymn has that effect on me.

See amid the winter’s snow, born for us on earth below. See the tender Lamb appears, promised from eternal years.

SEE AMID THE WINTER’S SNOW verse 1

Jesus is the tender Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He washes us whiter than snow. John the Baptist first referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God in John 1:29, but this idea started way before then. Genesis 22 gives the account of Abraham offering up Isaac as a sacrifice to God. Abraham exemplified great faith as he headed up the mountain with Isaac.

And Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, ‘My father!’ and he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ And he said, ‘Behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’ And Abraham said, ‘God will provide for Himself a lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ So the two of them walked on together.

Genesis 22:7-8

Hebrews tells us that Abraham believed God so much that even if the unthinkable happened in sacrificing his only son, God would raise him from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19). The Angel of the LORD intervened and stopped Abraham (Genesis 22:11-12).

Then Abraham raised his eyes, and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place, ‘The LORD Will Provide,’ as it is said to this day, ‘in the mount of the LORD it will be provided.

Genesis 22:13-14

Some theologians think the “Angel of the LORD” is an appearance of Christ in the Old Testament. I agree with this and think it’s amazing! The Lamb of God appeared to Abraham on Mount Moriah, saving Isaac and providing another sacrifice in his place. Abraham had already said, “God will provide for Himself a lamb.” How fitting that Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, is the Lamb of God provided for our redemption, dying in our place!

The concept of Jesus being the Lamb of God is further demonstrated in Exodus and the Passover. Israel was enslaved to the Egyptians for 400 years. Scripture says their cries for help rose up to God (Exodus 2:23). He sent a deliverer to them, and when Moses implored Pharaoh to let God’s people go, Pharaoh refused – resulting in plagues of judgment. Finally, Pharaoh relented after the worst and last plague came. The Death Angel visited Egypt in the night killing the firstborn of every household. For Israel to be saved from this terrible judgment, God gave them specific instructions. He instructed them to sacrifice a spotless lamb without blemish and put the blood of the lamb on the doorposts of their homes. The Death Angel would pass over them when he saw the blood, sparing the lives of Israel’s firstborn. The blood of the lamb had to be applied for them to be saved. What an amazing picture of Jesus being our Lamb, the perfect sacrifice. His blood must be applied to our hearts for us to be saved.

Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

1 Peter 1:18-19

And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By His death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.

Hebrews 10:19-23 NLT

Have you been washed clean by the blood of Christ? Salvation is free and available to you today! Find out how to be saved here.

Hail thou ever blessed morn, Hail redemption’s happy dawn! Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem.

SEE AMID THE WINTER’S SNOW

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Advent Reflections:

1. In Genesis 22, Abraham calls God Jehovah Jireh which means the LORD will provide. How does this story remind you of your salvation and how God provided for you?

2. Read Matthew 26:28. What does Jesus say about His own blood?

3. Read Romans 5:9, Ephesians 1:7, and 2:13. What do these Scriptures say about the blood of Christ?

4. Read Colossians 1:20, Hebrews 9:12-14, Hebrews 10:19. What else do you learn about the blood of Christ?

5. Read Revelation 1:5, 5:9, 12:11, and 19:13. What amazing truths do you learn about Christ’s blood in Revelation?

Click here to watch Stonebriar Community Church Choir sing this amazing Advent hymn on YouTube (this is Chuck Swindoll’s church).

Click here to listen to Dan Forrest choir on Spotify.