The Heart

Rend your heart and not your garments.

~Joel 2:13

Morning is my favorite time of day. We rise early and after my husband Bob leaves for work, our house is quiet except for the occasional snore of our dogs, Gracie and Cody. This is my time alone with the LORD.

As I was reading from the book of Joel last week, I came across these prophetic words from God’s mouth: “Rend your heart and not your garments.” At first glance these words seemed unrelated to Christmas and the birth of our Savior. Yet the phrase continued to echo through my thoughts.

The definition of rend is to ” tear something in two pieces.” This ancient tradition of the Jewish people involved the tearing of one’s clothes as a sign of mourning, grief, and loss.

The first mention of someone rending his garments is found in Genesis with the story of Joseph and his brothers. Rending was a powerful public expression of grief.

This practice continues today with the Jewish ritual of keriah. During a Jewish funeral, a rabbi cuts the garment as the bereaved person recites words regarding God’s sovereignty.

One Jewish tradition says that the mourner must tear the clothing over her heart ~ a sign of a heart that is broken by intense sadness. As I pondered this ancient ritual, my thoughts turned to my preparations for Christmas. I have shopped, wrapped, decorated, and baked. I have made many external preparations. But what of my heart?

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas this week, I want to rend my heart. Broken by my own sin, filled with godly sorrow and genuine repentance. The One who sees my heart requires more than external rituals. Moved by the state of my heart, He offers the free gift of salvation and wraps it with His compassion, mercy, and love. It is then that my heart is ready for Christmas and overflows with Peace, Hope, and Joy.

Merry Christmas and may your heart be torn and tenderly knitted together by His love!