Clothed in Holiness

We have heard the expression “clothes make the man!” There are certain articles of clothing that set the tone for a certain kind of activity. When I go camping I tend to grab that same pair of blue jeans, my T-shirt from Montana and that soft, gently worn flannel shirt. Wearing those favorites, I can get really dirty. I can stretch out on the ground or a log…walk carelessly through puddles and mud…eat anything I want with gusto.

The suit or blazer comes out when I am giving a presentation or teaching. Dressed more professionally I tend to sit more upright…and generally eat or drink with a lot more attention to possible messes. Like it or not, clothing does affect my mood and my demeanor.

So now, because of Christ, we don our holy apparel. We “put on Christ” when we are baptized, and people begin to see through our actions something about how we are made and the values we embrace. Clothed as God’s chosen ones, we choose different behavior from the repertoire of possibilities than we would if we were acting solely from our “human” inclinations. Sometimes we act with humility and meekness even when our ego is crying for attention. Sometimes we offer forgiveness even when our hearts are still pulsing with the pain of being violated.

We, the baptized, are fed and formed through Word and Sacrament. Through the means of grace each child of God is nourished in spirit so that we continue to move through the world contained and constantly molded according to our Baptism.

We are new creations. Our eyes shine with the light of love, our hands communicate compassion and forgiveness, and our voices resonate with praise and thanksgiving…all the time, in all places.

(Note: this entry first appeared in my 2009 Advent Devotional...so those of you who have used that devotional will recogize it, perhaps. As I look at the lectionary readings for this week, though, I couldn't help but offer it here, today).