A sacrament is commonly described as an outward sign of an inward grace. It is the physical manifestation that accompanies a spiritual reality. A glorious thing about Christianity is that although we readily acknowledge that there are special sacraments set aside for specific purposes (Holy Communion, Holy Baptism, Marriage, etc.) it becomes readily apparent that God has never limited himself to one or two or seven channels of his unmerited favor (grace).

I have become convinced the whole of the Christian life may viewed as sacramental in the sense that it entails both external and internal realities, intrinsically linked together for the purpose of bestowing all kinds of spiritual blessings. Religious ritual aside, consider what happens when we receive a warm embrace from a friend during a time of need.

The very privilege of our existence is given to us in both physical and spiritual form, simultaneously.