Bound is an interesting word.  When I looked it up in the dictionary, I was reminded that it has multiple meanings.  The one that first came to mind for me was the verb which means in bonds or chains; restricted, confined, detained; compelled or obliged to act behave or think in a particular way, as by duty, circumstance, or convention.  Within the context of Advent, I was thinking that before the death and resurrection of Jesus, we were bound by the law. The death and resurrection of Jesus would fulfill the law and ultimately unbind us from our sin. This promise is made way back in Genesis 3:15.

I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.

So initially, I thought my picture would reflect some kind of bondage…a chain or rope, perhaps.  But, as I started thinking about the other meanings of the word “bound”, I changed my mind.

Bound (verb):  walk or run with leaping strides.

Bound (noun):  a leaping movement upward.

The same word.  Completely different definition.  You cannot run or leap upward when you are restricted and confined.

As we anticipate the coming of Jesus, let’s remember how He was born into the world to un-bind us.  This should make us bound with joy!

But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

Romans 7:6