by Professor Daniel Reuning, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana

The practice of making the sign of the cross is not a late development among Christians-nor even among those who are Lutherans. Nor is it to be seen as the property of any particular denomination of Christians today.

The practice of making the sign of the cross is actually a very ancient Christian custom. The church father Tertullian writes about it as a common Christian custom already in 211 A.D. The church never did make a rule about when people should bless themselves with the sign of the cross; it seems, rather, that Christian people came to make this sign whenever their pious feelings prompted them to do so. Eventually, however, it became customary to make the sign of the cross at certain times in the liturgy, and at certain times in one's life during the week.

The use of the sign of the cross was not abolished at the time of the Reformation. The Augsburg Confession (one of the statements of faith of the Lutheran Church) states concerning the Mass and concerning ceremonies: "Our churches are falsely accused of abolishing the Mass. Actually, the Mass is retained among us and is celebrated with the greatest reverence. Almost all of the customary ceremonies are also retained except that German hymns are interspersed here and there among the parts sung in Latin. These are added for the instruction of the people, for ceremonies are needed in order that the unlearned may be taught. (Art. XXIV)

On the other hand, these ceremonies were to be made a matter of freedom. In Article VI the Augsburg Confession states: "It is not necessary that human traditions or rites or ceremonies, instituted by men, should be alike everywhere."

In the Small Catechism, Luther points out that the use of the sign of the cross is proper before one's prayers after rising and before going to sleep: "In the morning, when you rise, make the sign of the cross and say, 'In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.' Similar words are appointed for the evening."

The cross is the symbol of our salvation. To make the sign of the cross is properly understood as making an outward confession of belief in Christ and of the hope of redemption which flows from His cross. We were signed with this cross at our baptism: "Receive the sign of the holy cross both upon the forehead and upon the heart, in token that you have been redeemed by Christ the crucified." The sign of the cross is a sign the Church still uses.

Crossing oneself is done by putting the fingers of the right hand to the forehead, the chest, and then the right and left shoulder with the words, "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." By this action Christ-ians have for centuries acknowledged faith in the Triune God and in the redemption through the cross of Christ.

In addition to this, crossing oneself is often an outward sign indicating the reception of the blessing. Thus it is often used in this manner: When the pastor gives a blessing with the sign of the cross, the people receive it as their own by tracing the cross on themselves.

Some worshipers cross themselves at the Invocation as a reminder of their Baptism and as an outward statement that this worship is in the name of the Triune god who made them his own by the cross of Christ. At the forgiveness or absolution, the pastor, in the stead and by the command of Christ, forgives the sins of the penitent "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Many worshipers outwardly indicate their reception of this forgiveness (which the Pastor gives by making the sign of the cross) by tracing that same cross on themselves, thereby confessing their faith in the Christ through whose cross we have that forgiveness.

Another place where it has been customary to make the sign of the cross is at the end of the Creed ("and the life of the world to come" or "and the life everlasting") as an outward confession of faith in the Christ through whose cross we enter that life. It is also a Christian custom to make the sign of the cross just before receiving the body and blood of Christ in the communion as a confession of faith in the Christ whom we are receiving.

At the conclusion of the liturgy we receive the Benediction given with the sign of the cross by the pastor. It is also an ancient custom to receive this blessing by tracing the same cross on ourselves as it is given to us.

Outward signs and gestures are important non-verbal means of communication. Rightfully employed, they can assist greatly in our worship.