Dean’s baptism at Culpeper UMC on March 13, 2016
I will never forget my son’s baptism Sunday. Dean was 3 1/2 months old and I had entrusted his care and arrival to my family since I had to be at church early that day. I had prepared for this moment. Nelson had chosen the baptismal outfit, it had been laid out and ready to go, my mother-in-law had given me the shoes that Nelson wore at his baptism and I had tried them on Dean’s feet the week before and they fit perfectly. I had made sure that Dean got a good night’s sleep and had packed his bag full of milk and snacks and toys for the possibility that he would get fussy in church.
To my delight, my family arrived on time, but to my dismay Dean was not wearing Nelson’s baptismal shoes, but some ratty brown socks with stars on them. It was obvious I was not a fan of this wardrobe selection, and when I asked Nelson what happened he told me that Dean’s feet were too big for the shoes. So we just went ahead and took his socks off and he was baptized with bare feet.
Looking back now, maybe the socks were more fitting than I realized. After all last week we talk about the light of the star on Epiphany Sunday, and that Jesus Christ is the light that came into the world to offer us hope and everlasting life.
Overall, Dean was remarkably well behaved and did not even cry as he was baptized by me and the other two pastors at Culpeper UMC. It was such an emotional moment for me as I walked him around the church and saw love on the faces of so many people in the congregation. I could tell they already loved my child and they wanted to nurture him in his faith.
This coming Sunday, we celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ and remember our own baptisms and give thanks to God. We will have a special moment in worship where we remember our baptisms and are thankful. I hope to see you there!
Prayer: Life-giving God, we take this opportunity to say thank you. Thank you for your presence in our lives. Thank you for showing us that there are signs of new life all around us as we see the workings of your Holy Spirit. Help us to be ever attentive to the ways in which the Holy Spirit is work in our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Apparently the infamous brown star socks were a favorite of Nelson’s because Dean also showed up for worship on Mother’s Day that same year wearing them.
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