The family came forward to...
Illustration
The family came forward to the front of the church. In Erica's arms, wrapped in a white baptismal gown, was their new baby girl -- barely six weeks old. Jim stood beside her, obviously a bit uncomfortable at being in front of people but also obviously proud of this first child. It had been a long struggle to have this baby. Three years of trying with no success. Keeping calendars, taking temperatures, anything that would increase their chance of getting pregnant. Finally it happened and a baby was coming. When Erin was born, it was the proudest moment of his life.
But the pastor's words would remind him of a new reality. This child had another parent connected not by blood but by water and spirit. As the waters from the font were poured over her head and the Trinitarian words were spoken, the pastor emphasized again how in Christ Erin was to be adopted into the family of God. No matter what happened to her early mother and father, God was promising to keep this child close, adopted as a sister of Jesus.
That was a humbling thought for him. All that effort to make a child. All those months of struggle with no results and now, in this moment he was to give this child over to God. As the baptismal candle was lit and handed to him to hold, the words of scripture took on new meaning, "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."
-- Daubert
But the pastor's words would remind him of a new reality. This child had another parent connected not by blood but by water and spirit. As the waters from the font were poured over her head and the Trinitarian words were spoken, the pastor emphasized again how in Christ Erin was to be adopted into the family of God. No matter what happened to her early mother and father, God was promising to keep this child close, adopted as a sister of Jesus.
That was a humbling thought for him. All that effort to make a child. All those months of struggle with no results and now, in this moment he was to give this child over to God. As the baptismal candle was lit and handed to him to hold, the words of scripture took on new meaning, "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."
-- Daubert
