Chapter 9 - What's in a Name?

Everything about Jesus' coming was humble. His circumcision was no exception. But things are not always as they seem. This was Joseph giving voice to the child's name, but also his destiny.  Heaven's heir didn't need circumcision to make him part of God's family - but with that first shedding of blood, he stepped into the ring with the sinners he came to save. Thank you, Jesus! 

In my Christian training growing up, I always found more emphasis on learning how "Jesus died for my sins". And that's certainly true! It was later in my life that my understanding expanded to Jesus saved us by paying for our sins at the end of his earthly life, but his payment was only accepted because he had kept all of God's laws perfectly throughout his earthly life. That was what made his sacrifice acceptable to God - his perfection. Thank you, Jesus!

Circumcision was only done to males although the promise extended to females by virtue of the headship principle. But isn't it wonderful that Baptism is given to males and females - young and old? Take a closer look at the author's paraphrased words of God's new pact. Who's doing the work here - the one being baptized, or the God who gives the gift? It's available because what Jesus did. God is doing the forgiving, promising and preparing. God is doing the giving. He connects his name and writes that on the baptized. 

And what changes after this happens? We don't look any different (like those circumcised) but when I (God) looks at you, he sees his Son! We are clothed with his perfection! 

I just recently found out (mom forgot to fill me in;) that I was baptized right away after birth but had an affirmation in church with my godparents. 
My husband's parents came to faith later in life. As the youngest of their three boys, he was a toddler at the time of his baptism. 
Our son was baptized a week after birth. I was still hobbling around, but my sister was there as his godparent and grandparents and great-grandparents were able to attend from far away. 
Our daughter was baptized at 11 months. She was adopted from China at 10 1/2 months and we chose to wait until we were home in order to share this with eager family, friends and church family. It was neat to think that after being adopted into our family, she was now adopted into God's family! We named her Hosanna which means "Lord save us" - just as Jesus' name means "the Lord saves". 

Mothering Like Mary

What great ideas! I wish I would have put more forethought early on into establishing special Baptism traditions. Hosanna's baptism birthday always throws me off because it comes weeks before her birthday. Regardless, I have not done anything special for this but it doesn't mean I can't start. 

I have, however, done a better job at it in my god parenting role. I choose to celebrate and send a gift for my godchildren's baptism birthdays. I figure they get lots of presents for their regular birthdays anyway.  

Ponder

List at least three reasons why Baptism is more than a onetime event. 
It's an opportunity to daily live out my baptism by starting  each day remembering my sins have been drowned and washed away. Every day.
 Baptism gives me faith. That faith is fed and sustained with Word and Sacrament (Lord's Supper) all my life. 
Baptism makes me a child of God and adopts me into his family. The Holy Spirit lives in me, enabling me to do good works - fruits of faith. 

I'd love to hear baptism birthday ideas from you! Keep 'em coming:)