Baptism

Our sweet boy was baptized today.  Jesse and I both strongly support infant baptism and recognize it as an act of God's love and grace.  I believe we are claimed by God's love before we ever have an understanding or opportunity to respond in faith.  

  

Jesse and I deliberated over Jackson's outfit.  We ended up purchasing a white tuxedo that came with a bonnet.  Jackson continued to pull the bonnet off, so we elected not to include that with his outfit.

Jackson's MiMi & PaPa, Aunt Chrissy, MeMe & Uncle Scott, and cousins Levi, Christopher, and Emily attended the service.  (The Apple family were unable to come, but they visited Jackson later in the afternoon.)  The sacrament was beautiful and both Jesse and I became teary-eyed.  Jackson cried very briefly when Pastor Brad poured the water over his head, but he was back to grinning and cooing while being escorted up and down the aisle and during the children's sermon.  By our request, the congregation sang one of my favorite hymns, I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry.  Here are the lyrics:

"I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
to find where demons dwell."

"When you heard the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living Lord,
to whom you now belong.
If you find someone to share your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I'll be there to make your verses rhyme
from dusk 'till rising sun."

In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young,
I'll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I've begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
and you shut your weary eyes,
I'll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise."

"I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold."

Jesse and I met Brad for lunch this past Friday to discuss the service.  Brad explained that the earliest depictions of Jesus' baptism are found in the catacombs and show images of water being poured over Jesus with a shell.  Today Brad baptized Jackson using a shell, and gave it to us as a reminder to celebrate Jackson's baptism and honor our commitment to nurture Jackson in faith.  Jesse wanted to display the shell, so we made quick stops to A.C. Moore and Wal Mart to print a picture and purchase a shadowbox frame.  I am so happy with our keepsake that will be displayed in Jackson's nursery.