Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Psalm 147 or 147:13-21 Galatians 3:23-25;4:4-7 John 1:1-18
This morning we have the privilege of baptizing two of God’s children (at our second service), Tessa Losurdo and Jackson Smith. Baptism is said to be full initiation into the church, which is to say Christ’s Body. The Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Galatians, “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ ().” Baptism for us is first and foremost a sacrament. And, like other sacraments in our church – it is “an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.” Jackson and Tessa will not become Children of God, once baptized – no, they are already Children of God. Being Children of God is the inward and spiritual grace involved in the sacrament of baptism. The outward and visible sign, is of course the ritualistic act of pouring water over their heads symbolizing their initiation into Christianity. Although some denominations wait until people can chose for themselves to be baptized, many in our church make this decision on behalf of their children so that they will never know a time when they were not a Christian. When the children are presented for baptism, the parents and Godparents commit themselves to bring their children up in the Christian faith and life. Then, all who witness these vows pledge to support these children, their parents, and their Godparents in their life in Christ.
Baptism, therefore, means so much more than bringing another sheep into our fold. It is more than a mere initiation. It is a sacrament by which we all re-affirm our commitment to love and support each other. It is a sacrament through which we pledge once again, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves. It is not about becoming a part of St. Andrew’s or even the Episcopal Church – it not that kind of initiation. Baptism is about taking on a way of life in which we proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ. It calls upon each of us to strive for justice and peace, and it calls upon each of us to respect the dignity of every human being. And, all this we do, “with God’s help.”
Paul writes to the Galatians, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children (4:4-5).” In this one sentence Paul speaks of Christ’s divinity (God sent his son), his humanity (being born of a woman), the law, and salvation. He uses the metaphor of adoption to say that through Christ, not adherence to Jewish Law, we gain entrance into God’s kingdom. People cannot earn their way into heaven, but God’s grace is such that God sent his Son for us. The people of
As we celebrate this, the first Sunday after Christmas, it is indeed appropriate to do so with these baptisms. Christ entered this world, born of woman. He was raised in his faith, as we intend to raise these children in our faith. Christ did not mistake the Law for his calling. The Word John speaks of in his Gospel, the Word, who became flesh and lived among us, is Jesus. Jesus, who, taught us to treat others with dignity. To love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves – for when we do, we live our lives as God intended – in loving and caring relationships, we live in the peace that passes all understanding. And, we live out our baptismal covenant.
Let us pray.
Gracious and loving Father, we pray to you this day for Tessa and Jackson, that they may grow in faith and love. We pray also for your guidance in our lives that we might truly love and support each other in our Christian journey and that we might seek and serve Christ is all persons. All this we ask in the name of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
