Hey,
Your file has been with London quite a while now, it is quite possible (according to our spreadsheet) that you will have your COPR by that point. If however you do not receive it by then, you do realise that UK citizens are visa exempt, infact most of the EU are visa exempt which would mean no need to apply for a visitors visa. However if he does decide to visit you over xmas then it is possible that you could be turned away at the border but improbable. Demonstrating ties to home country i.e job, car, mortgage and family would highly help you. If he is a UK citizen passport is not requested during the sponsorship process.
I personally visited my spouse over the summer and had no troubles with border control. I explained I had PR in process (I suspect border officials already have these details on their computer) and he ushered me through and said have a nice visit. I suspect the same would apply for yourself. If he is not a UK or EU citizen then it may be a little more difficult to obtain a visitors visa, I would however still apply if that is what you both want.
If you look under my signature you will see links to the London spreadsheet, where you can gauge where your application maybe at. If your application was received by London July 17th, I would expect to hear something by end of October/ mid November.
Good luck