I’m always attentive to textile references and delight when I hear song lyrics using textile imagery tell a story or communicate a feeling. Lately I’ve been enjoying the Rain for Roots albums with my baby, and today I heard something about “the fabric of faith.” Looking up the full lyrics, I discovered that the song draws on the imagery of faith as a fabric, woven by Christ. You can listen to the full song here. As she listens, I hope my daughter draws strength from the fact that Christ clothes us tenderly, protecting us from fear and despair.
The fabric of faith is too strong to tear
Woven by Christ, the saints daily will wear
A surety that Jesus, so strong and so fair
Has carried the weight of the world
whole cloth 
Too Strong To Tear
Like a soldier’s blanket of harsh warm wool
Thrown over the shoulders with comradely care,
Like brown felt stays sturdy against every pull,
The fabric of faith is too strong to tear.
All of a piece with the work of the mother
The work of the son, as the gospels declare.
The two passed the shuttle from one to the other.
Woven by Christ, the saints daily will wear,
Like a sachet of myrrh, tucked in close, out of sight,
The panels of wool that are joined in a pair
By a yoke made of ribbon, both easy and light:
A surety that Jesus, so strong and so fair,
His face calm in sleep, is the Lord of the rain.
(In his small hand the great globe rests, littled and pearled.)
He has slept in the grave and has risen again,
Has carried the weight of the world.