Do you remember your baptism?

Every year as we start off the new year, we take a Sunday to celebrate and remember the Baptism of our Lord.  As we think through Jesus’ baptism, we also take time to reflect on our own baptism and the gift that baptism is to this world.

There is so much to say about baptism, but I will put it this way: in baptism, God promises to us the divine gift of eternal life. As Lutherans, we understand this as what is called passive righteousness (a free gift with no strings attached), as opposed to active righteousness (I have to do all the right things to win God’s love). Baptism, in the Lutheran understanding, is pure proclamation. This understanding helps to free us from always trying to earn God’s love or to live up to unattainable standards. 

Martin Luther invites us to remember our baptism every time we encounter and interact with water. In the morning shower or taking a cool drink in the afternoon or brushing your teeth at night, Luther encourages us to remember God’s promise of love and care for us as God’s beloved creation.

If you have had the privilege of being asked to be a sponsor or godparent, this is a great Sunday for you to help your godchild remember their baptism. Remind them of the promises that God made to them on the day of their baptism and continues to make with them every day. Take a moment to give them a call or send a card. It can become a great tradition.

Have questions or want to learn more? This is my shameless plug for you to join me at Adult Education hour (9:30-10:30 Sunday mornings) for Sacraments 101 on March 6^th.
 
God’s Peace,

Pastor Tim
 
P.S. If you or someone your love would like to be baptized, please let us know. We would love to get it on the schedule.