BAPTIZE
On September 9, 2007, I went to the font at Hoff Lutheran Church of Adams, North Dakota to baptize Keaton Rhyss Nalean-Carlson. This is a letter I wrote for him, but in it I hope you will hear God’s gracious word for you as well.
Beautiful baby boy,
This is a very special day for you and for all those gathered here to celebrate with you. Today you will be baptized and welcomed into the body of Christ.
Of course, everyone has been welcoming you in countless ways already. You are blessed to be born into a loving family and to be living in such a caring community. But today is different. Today we will join as one to welcome you into something that is bigger than your family and bigger than this community. Today we will join as one to welcome you into the very body of Christ.
You will become, with us, the hands and feet and heart of Jesus himself. And you will be called to join in his mission, touching the world with grace, walking among the forgotten, and allowing yourself to be moved with compassion for all creation.
Such a huge responsibility you’re being given today. And you’re not even two months old yet! If you ask me, that’s the beauty of it all. When babies like you are baptized, babies who are unable to make decisions for themselves, it is a powerful reminder that God is the one making a decision this day. Jesus said to his disciples, You did not choose me, but I chose you. The same is true for us today. God chooses us.
As you grow up, you will grow into a greater awareness of all that God is calling you to be. I am confident that God will continue to surround you with people who will aid you on your journey, loving you into recognition of the many gifts God has given you. And in the meantime, God is already using you to make a difference. I wish you could see how an entire room full of people brightens when you enter it. Your very presence brings a powerful word of hope for the future. It’s amazing to witness.
Last week you went with me to a birthday party for a woman named Mina. She was 100 years old that day. As she held you in her arms, I was reminded that no matter what age we are, we are precious children of God.
Some day Mina will die, as we all will, and God will lovingly cradle her just as she cradled you. Today you will be marked with the cross of Christ forever. Forever. God’s promise to you is that God will never leave you and never stop loving you, no matter what. Nothing can separate you from the love of God. You will always be God’s precious child.
As I was preparing for your baptism today, I came across a song called I’m Going on a Journey (ELW #446, Text: Kenneth D. Larkin). I think the text is a beautiful description of what will happen for you today. I like to imagine you singing it.
I’m going on a journey, and I’m starting today. My head is wet, and I’m on my way. Christ’s mark is on me; it’s on you, too; it says he loves me, and he loves you too!
I’m becoming this day a saint of God. It really doesn’t matter what road I trod. Wherever I go, God’s been there, too. God’s love has touched me and will carry me through.
There are other saints who have said amen. They’ll keep me faithful to my journey’s end. Along the way I want to be the kind of person that God set free.
Keaton, today you are surrounded by other saints who have said amen. Even those saints who have gone before us are gathered here today. When we share the meal Jesus first shared with his disciples, we are united not only with the church on earth but also with all the saints of heaven. I’ll tell you about them someday. I trust that they love you, even though they never had the opportunity to meet you face to face.
The saints gathered here today will keep you faithful to your journey’s end. With God’s help, we will share the love of God with you so that you may joyfully share it with others. You are free, Keaton. Freed by God from the power of sin and death for a life of freely giving to others.
This is my prayer for you and for all those gathered here with you today. May we all so trust in God’s love for us that we live a life free of fear and abounding in hope. May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit. May we all shine with the light of Christ.
I love you, baby boy.
God bless you now and forever.
Amen.