Letters to Grace: Real questions. Honest answers. Always with grace.
Dear Grace,
I’ve noticed our vicar bowing his head every time he says Jesus’ name, and sometimes he crosses himself. It’s clearly meaningful to him. But I don’t really understand it. Is it just tradition? Are we supposed to do it too? Also, why does he always turn away from us during the Creed?
— Curious in the Congregation
Dear Curious,
Let’s start with the bowing. When your vicar bows his head at the name of Jesus, it’s a simple gesture of reverence. Christians have done this for centuries, taking inspiration from St Paul’s 2nd letter to the Philippians, which says, “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” It’s a way of letting respect and love for Christ shape our bodies, not just our words.
Crossing ourselves is a bit like that too. When we make the sign of the cross, e.g. during the absolution (forgiveness after confession), the end of the Creed or during the Blessing, we’re not just following a habit. We’re praying with our hands. It’s a way of saying, “This forgiveness, this faith, this blessing, it’s for me.” Yes, it may feel awkward at first, but it can become second nature, even precious.
And that turning away during the Creed? That’s a beautiful piece of ancient tradition. Your Vicar isn’t turning his back on you, he’s turning with you, facing east.
Why east? Because for centuries, Christians have faced east in prayer, towards the rising sun, the dawn, the direction of hope. It’s a symbol of resurrection and Christ’s return, a way of physically expressing: “We look for the light.”
In the early church, this was especially powerful during baptism. Those about to be baptised would first face west, the direction of the setting sun, of darkness and death, and renounce the devil. Then they would turn bodily to the east and, facing the light, recite the Creed. It was a way of saying, “I have turned from darkness to light.”
You don’t have to bow or cross yourself. But if something in you stirs when you see these gestures, you might try one, perhaps crossing yourself during the absolution or bowing your head gently at Jesus’ name. Let your body join in the worship.
And if you’ve got more questions like this, Grace would love to hear them. No question is too small or too strange. Often it’s the quiet wonderings that help us grow the most.
Yours sincerely,
Grace.