“For this month’s creative essay, I’d like to introduce you to an amazing creative designer and photographer Justin Posey. He works with me on our Bethel Music creative team, and I’ve asked him to share some of his favourite photos of a white christmas here in Northern California. Justin’s written an introduction to this blog below. I hope you’re inspired and enjoy that this expression of creativity will bring you joy and blessing!” – Stephen Hart
I continued driving despite my inability to see the road underneath the blanket of white. It’s my first winter in Northern California, and nothing can stop me from getting to the fresh snow atop Mount Lassen.
I drive as far into the park as I can and continue my journey on foot. The snow is so pure that there are no other footprints around. What once was a pathway shaped by the feet of summer visitors is now an endless blanket of white. I have no idea what direction to go, but trust the covering of the snow to support me wherever my feet take me.
It’s in this moment that I begin to hum “Though our sins are scarlet, You’ve made us white as snow…” and meditate on Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.“
As I do I feel a rush of grace and love come over me. A smile forms out of gratitude, and I tell the Father how thankful I am that he would send Jesus to cover my sins and make me “white as snow.”
I pause and look around at how beautiful everything has been made from the covering of the snow, and know that I too am beautiful. That I too am covered. That I too am clean.
