Big Day

Last night my baby boy was baptized. The church was twice as full as normal for a Saturday. There were about 20 or so guests (family and friends of ours who came) which means about fifty of the folks were "Sunday morning people" who came to see the event.

To our knowledge, in the 120 plus years of this church, no priest has had a baby baptized while serving here. So, in a sense, it was an historical event. The sort of historical event which in our culture is note worthy. We pay attention to firsts. Some of it is sports related and the incessant score keeping that takes place there. Some of it is political (which at times is sports for the non-atheletic). We often hear about the first woman to serve here, or the first minority to be elected there. I doubt in Jesus' time (or most other times) villagers spent much time taking note of "firsts."

A priest friend from another parish, who was with us the night that baby was born, was with us last night. He annointed. My close friend and associate celebrated, preached and did the baptism. His sermon included a pointed address to my other son and daughter, the 'big sis/bro." What he said was basic, but it was moving nonetheless. They will be the ones that he goes to, over and again. No doubt he will view them with the eyes of an adoring worhsipper.

Having a child baptized is an amazing thing. For endless hours I have prayed over this little guy. My biggest desire is that he be holy. I hope he will be strong where I have been weak, that he will be faithful where I have failed. Probably, most of us dream that our kids will do that.

The gift of relationship with God has been given. One hundred and nineteen of us gathered in a full church, crammed full, to sing, pray and hear God's word. It was historic. It was also unnoteworthy. A small group in a little church. So ordinary. So insignificant. Yet, so sublime.

God is that way. At work in growing seed and growing babies. At work in insignificant people who are somehow made part of the body of Christ through water and faith. It is easy to overlook how important these little events are. Some day Baby will do great things for God. At least that is my hope and prayer. Last night was another step in that journey.