Christmas Clothes

So, how many of you are wearing clothing gifts right now that you received as Christmas gifts? Right or wrong, what we wear says something about us. For example, if you have that gift item on right now, it says you really like it, or guilt has driven you to wear it even though you don't like it. It may say something regarding how you feel about the person who gave it to you. I know we'd heard it said that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Jesus-followers believe that God looks to the heart, and not to that which is presented on the exterior. Still, how we clothe ourselves can be an extension of who we are and what we want to communicate.

In the letters of a Jesus-follower called Paul there are numerous references to "clothing" as a symbol of what the world sees in us as followers of Jesus. When Paul uses phrases like, "put off...put on..." he's likely referring to the use of clothing in the experience known as baptism. In many early Christian communities persons preparing to be baptized shed their clothes as a symbol of putting off their old lives apart from Jesus. Then they were baptized naked, representing coming to Jesus with nothing, and depending fully on his grace. (I wonder if we'd have more baptisms or fewer baptisms in our church if we baptized people naked?!? Probably shouldn't think about it too much...) As those baptized arose from the water, they would have a new, clean robe put on them, representing their new life in relationship with God through Jesus the Christ.

As recorded in the Bible, (Colossians 3:12-17) Paul reminds Jesus-followers that they are holy (set apart for a special purpose) and beloved (unconditionally loved, chosen, and called.) As such, they should clothe themselves in compassion (affinity with those who suffer, as Jesus suffered for us), humility (willingness to serve, as Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life for us), gentleness (the opposite of arrogance and self-assertion, as Jesus yielded God-status to accept human form), patience (the ability to withstand insult without retaliation, as Jesus endured the cross), and, above all love (agape - self-sacrificing, God-like, other-focused love).

Amid the new clothes of Christmas, are those of us who claim Jesus wearing the clothing that matters? I'll see you around the next bend in the river.