On January 1 we celebrate the naming of Jesus as part of the Christmas Season. The day is properly called "The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ." It seems right somehow to start the New Year by gathering to worship at this service. Today at 10:00 a.m. we will have this service of Holy Eucharist at St. Margaret's in Moultrie. This will be my last time to preside at a service there, but today is made more special because I will have the privilege of baptizing Shelton Blake Moore.
I think that for someone two-and-a-half months old, Shelton is doing well to start the New Year off right by getting himself baptized. He won't remember anything about it, and he might even sleep through the whole event, but his baptism will leave an indelible mark on his soul. That is because, as The Book of Common Prayer so beautifully puts it, "Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble." (p. 298)
As Shelton grows up and lives more fully into his name, he will also live more fully into his baptism. This is just the beginning, but he is starting the New Year off right.
Pastor Linda
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Founding Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment