Advent #3 (Come Thou Long)

Early one morning, a child arrives at school in a bright red mask, convinced that it grants him superpowers. He bounces around, joyful and confident, all because he believes in the power he has wielded through that mask. Similarly, when we receive Christ, His righteousness covers us, empowering us to stand before God without shame. It is not our own strength but His, imputed to us when we believe, giving us the confidence to face the world.

Consider the parable of the Prodigal Son. When the wayward son returns home, the father runs to him and embraces him, clothing him in the finest garments. This act of gracious acceptance illustrates imputed righteousness; the son came home covered in the filth of his choices, yet the father dressed him in the best robe. In the same way, God throws His grace over us, covering our sin with Christ’s righteousness, as if we had never left His side.