December 30, 2023
Today’s Reading: Introit for Christmas 1
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 58:1-59:3, 14-21; Luke 1:26-38
The LORD reigns ; he is robed in majesty;
The LORD is robed; He has put on strength as His belt.
(Psalm 93:1, from the Introit for the 1st Sunday after Christmas)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Merry Sixth Day of Christmas!
In Leicester, England, a church displays a beautiful statue of the Christ Child, on His mother’s lap. The Child Jesus is robed in beautiful, luxurious, dignified Eucharistic vestments – alb, stole, and chasuble, and with a gold crown on His head.
The Baby had every right as King David’s royal descendent to wear such gorgeous and stately garments, yet never owned costly, royal robes. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, who should definitely wear the most amazing crown ever crafted, but the Son of Mary was humble and poor, and did not display His rank and authority by what He wore. Yet the sculptor is taking you beyond the “swaddling cloths” in the Bethlehem manger. He is teaching through that image that even if unnoticed or unknown, “The LORD is robed.”
At the Fall in the Garden, Adam and Eve first knew that they were naked. They had been robed with majesty and holiness as the crown of creation. Now they were exposed for the broken and corrupt, sinful creatures they now were. Nakedness was no longer an innocent and beautiful adornment of perfect beings, but a blunt reminder of evil and flaws within and without.
When you were born, you physically entered this world in the broken nakedness of our first parents. “[You] were brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did [your] mother conceive [you]” (Psalm 51:5.) But at Baptism, the Lord used the hands and voice of your pastor to bring you forgiveness, rescue, and salvation.
That washing of rebirth and renewal did something miraculous, that can be described in terms of clothing. “Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy” (Psalm 132:9.) You, the members of Christ’s kingdom of baptized priests, have been clothed with Christ! “You have been clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness that covers all your sin. So shall you stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive the inheritance prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (LSB, p. 271)
Jesus covers you in His righteousness, making you look just like Him! You might not see the robes or crown with your eyes, but He has covered you with Himself in Baptism, robing you as His royal priests, serving Him in thanksgiving for the faith and salvation that our Newborn King gives. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
O Savior, Child of Mary, Who felt our human woe; O Savior, King of glory,
Who dost our weakness know: Bring us at length we pray To the bright courts of heaven,
And to the endless day. (LSB 359:4)
-Pastor Richard Heinz is pastor at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.
Study Christ’s words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.
