What a joy it was to wake up on that first morning of real snow in Rochester! I was actually excited to shovel my driveway and grateful that it's a downhill slope. I got into my car to drive to the office and saw that wonderful blanket of white snow covering the detritus of autumn. I realized that this is a gift to my soul. It's a gift to all of us; God's reminder to slow down, to be quiet, to pause. It is also a reminder that the gift of Jesus Christ is the gift of one who covers our sins.
“Now wait a minute, Bishop,” you might say. “I thought we were in the business of uncovering the truth, not covering up sins.” And yes, you are right. But I'm thinking of covering up in the way that we might go to a restaurant with a friend and discover it's one of the last ones that only takes cash, and your friend says, “Don't worry. I've got you covered.”
That is the way in which God covers our sins. It is a reminder that when we look in the manger this Christmas and see that innocent, beautiful baby, we know that Jesus is a gift to remind us that we are loved and that God covers our sins. When you look at that baby in the manger, remember that is how God looks at you, and at me, in admiration and complete love and complete acceptance.
Merry Christmas! Don’t forget, God’s got you covered!
