Symbolism of the Blessing

The fingers spell out “IC XC”, a widely used four-letter abbreviation of the Greek for Jesus (IHCOYC) Christ (XPICTOC). It is by the name of Jesus that we are saved and receive blessings: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” (Phil 2:10).

Why Greek? Because it is one of the first languages of the Church, and the language of the New Testament.

The three fingers of Christ – as well as spelling out “I” and “X” – confess the Tri-unity of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The touching finger and thumb of Jesus not only spell out “C”, but attest to the Incarnation: to the joining of divine and human natures found in the body of Jesus Christ.

For more on this and an Eastern Christian understanding of this particular gesture, see this blogpost. I have used some of the material from that post for this article.

There are other hand gestures associated with blessing in the Church’s tradition. Some specific traditions favor one form over others. Lutherans have the freedom to adopt these gestures as they find them to serve the ministry of the Gospel in their particular part of the world; they are an “adiaphoron” (middle thing) that is not a matter of salvation and neither commanded nor forbidden in the Holy Scriptures for Christians to observe.

I use a combination of gestures for the Benediction in our Divine Service of Holy Communion. Our Lutheran rite prescribes the Aaronic Benediction, “The Lord bless you and keep you… etc.” as its chief form of blessing the people, as it is given to the High Priest of Israel in Numbers 6:22-27. A gesture is given along with the words: raising both hands “over” the gathered people to place the blessing upon them – as God’s own Name has been placed upon them. Luther’s own belief was that Christ used this form of blessing at the end of St. Lukes Gospel as He ascended to His Father:

…And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.
St. Luke 24:50

To this gesture is added (at “and give you peace”) the signing of the cross with the hand in the form of the IC XC Christogram. The implication is that the name of Christ, and of the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is placed upon the people as the very source of the blessing, and indeed, as the blessing.

When you see my hand contorted in the way that it is at the Benediction, this is not just a weird quirk, but is very intentional. I pray that you will be edified and inspired as your understanding of the reasons for our signs, ceremonies, and sacramental worship increases. The God of the Bible has always used creation, physcial things, for His purposes.

May our merciful Lord, Jesus Christ, bless you and keep you secure in His Holy Name.
Pastor Porter