January 2, 2024 

Today's Reading: Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 62:1-12; Luke 2:1-20

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Merry Ninth Day of Christmas!

Did you receive a new dress, sweater, or even a new coat for Christmas? My Grandma and Grandpa usually gifted each of us eight grandchildren with some new clothes every year at our celebration on Christmas Eve.  When we were little and only wanted toys, these weren’t the most popular gifts, but as we matured and grew older we enjoyed them.

There are times when we might not think of Baptism as the best gift.  Moments of Old Adam selfishly and shamefully saying, “I’d rather have toys.”  “I’d rather have all the fun promised by temptations that surround me.”  Your sinful flesh teams up with the devil and the world, trying to sway you from appreciating the good gifts with which the Lord covers you with His righteousness.

But God is the Giver of every good and perfect gift.  He used the hands and voice of your pastor to baptize you into Christ and clothe you with Christ.  “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)  You have been clothed with Christ!  Jesus IS the robe of righteousness given to you at Baptism, covering you with His salvation.  And in those moments of unappreciation of His gifts, the Holy Spirit is bringing you to repentance, calling, gathering, enlightening, and sanctifying you.  He keeps you under that blessed covering of Christ – the garments of salvation – robe of righteousness – Jesus Himself!

Holy Baptism is a gift that is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  You don’t need to be baptized more than once.  It remains.  So once you have put on Christ and been clothed with Him, you can always rejoice.  WIth the simple gift of water in and with the Word of God’s name, He claims you and covers you.  The Holy Spirit keeps you in that one true faith given at your Baptism, and you just can’t help but rejoice and exult!

The new sweater you got from Grandma; the college sweatshirt from Mom and Dad; even the HT gear you got yourself – they are all great!  But infinitely greater is the gift that in Baptism, you have put on Christ, and were clothed with salvation and covered with righteousness!

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.