Last night, I and my fellow podcasters got together to do a live show in frigid, windswept Iowa. It was cold and snowy, so only the die-hards braved the elements to listen and to interact with us. The people there were the committed Lutherans, the pious Lutherans. These are the Lutherans that participate in the Lenten Book of Concord reading every year. These are the ones in Bible class.

That’s why, when somebody in the crowd asked why it was ok for us to cross ourselves, my co-host was a little taken aback. He was surprised at the assumption that crossing yourself was bad and that we had to justify our actions.

The best reason for why we should cross ourselves is pedagogical. Modern education is only beginning to realize what the church has known for thousands of years: that the body and the soul are inextricably linked and united. When the children of Israel suffered under the lash of Pharaoh, “they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage” (Ex. 6:9). When Elijah the prophet was in anguish, the angel succored the prophet twice with bread and water (1 Kings 19).

And we see the same thing with children. Government schools use a technique called “Crossing the midline.” For example, you place your right hand on your left shoulder. Teachers use this technique to “recharge” and “refocus” unruly children. By crossing the middle of the body, children calm down, and reset.

This is nothing but an incomplete, secular version of what Luther writes in the Large Catechism: “Likewise the practice of children to cross themselves when anything monstrous or terrible is seen or heard, and to exclaim: “Lord God, protect us!” “Help, dear Lord Jesus!” etc. Thus, too, if any one meets with unexpected good fortune, however trivial, that he say: “God be praised and thanked; this God has bestowed on me!” etc. . . Behold, thus we might train our youth, in a childlike way and playfully in the fear and honor of God, so that the First and Second Commandments might be well observed and in constant practise” (LC, 2nd Comm. par. 74).

The outward training nurtures and fosters the faith of the child. And not only the child, but also the adults who relearn this wonderful practice. It is good for us to be taught, by physical actions, that we ought to expect all good things from our Father Who is in heaven. It is good for us to be reminded by physical actions that, when evil or affliction fall on us, we have an Almighty Savior Who is working all things together for our good.

That’s why it is ok for us to cross ourselves. The body and soul are intertwined. The physical action of making the sign of the cross teaches and reminds us Who we belong to through Holy Baptism. Crossing ourselves stills fear, creates joy, and turns us from our own vain thoughts and speculations to the One Who is the Wisdom of God.