Baptism Day (12/29/2024)

In 1997, on the Feast of the Holy Family, two of my grandchildren were baptized at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church in Sun Prairie. The whole family was gathered in the church basement, preparing for the celebration, getting the infants ready, talking about each person’s role in the sacrament when my son asked a question of me: “Mom, why did you have us baptized?” I will always remember that question and my response.

“I had you three children baptized because I know I’m not perfect but my greatest desire for you three has always been the best in life. I knew that the best is Christ, so I wanted to bring you to Christ as soon as I could.”

“I knew that you, like all of us, would struggle to discern who you are, to find your identity from which you could draw strength. Through baptism, you are Christ’s beloved. That is an identity no one can ever take from you and of which no catastrophe can ever rob you. That day, you put on Christ and no one but you could take that away.”

“I knew you would need light in this world that can grow dark. I wanted you to have the light no darkness can put out, not even a tomb. I wanted you to have Christ, the light of the world.”

“I knew from my own life that you were going to need strength for this journey. So, I brought you to be baptized and to be strengthened for the journey through the anointing and through the gift of the Spirit that would grace you and guide you.”

“And I knew I was going to need help raising you, so I brought you to the community who would help me to raise you, would support me in my efforts, would support you in yours, that’s what Christians do for love of Christ and one another.”

As I said, I will always remember the question, and I will always remember my response. It was my hope then. It is still my hope. I recall both this Sunday every year between Christmas and New Year. I recall it every time I witness a baptism in our church. I recall it often as I watch families with children gather within the community, and I pray that they feel the support of the whole community for them. I pray that I will support them.

Knowing Christ and knowing that I am His, His disciple has made all the difference in my life. I hope that my children and grandchildren know Him and His love for them and draw upon it daily. But I also know I am not in control of that. And so, I pray.

On this special Sunday between Christmas and New Year, while the wonder of Christmas is still fresh in our minds and hearts and as we prepare for a new beginning, a new year with resolutions and hopes, let one of our hopes be to love Christ and to live Christ daily. Let us remember Christ’s presence to us throughout our lives and let us commit to be lovingly present to Christ and one another throughout the new year. Let us remember we are Christ’s beloved, we are His disciples, we have promised to follow in His footsteps and to love one another as He has loved us. Let us claim our identity and live it out loud.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.