Baptism

I had the honour and privilege of attending a baptism tonight for the little one of a couple of friends. It was a very moving and incredibly beautiful ceremony, and I was touched to be invited to attend. The little one was an angel through the whole thing, and didn't cry even as water was being poured on her head. She's a very lucky little girl; no matter what challenges she faces in the years ahead, she has two of the most loving, devoted parents one could ever hope to have. Undoubtedly, she will grow up to be a loved and loving human being with a wonderfully supportive family, and that love and care will carry her through every trial she encounters in her life, big and small.

Ironically I have probably processed about 50 kids for baptism since I began my ministry, but the last infant baptism I attended was, I believe, my brother's nearly thirty years ago. Oh sure, I have taught the baptism preparation course and read the Rite and walked parents through what to expect, but I haven't actually seen a baptism in a very long time so it was nice to see all of the elements I have been teaching about come to life in front of me, including the knocking at the door of the church (in this case, the living room!) to invite symbolically the child into the Church for the first time.

I excused myself before the social began as today has not been the best of days. My gallbladder gifted me with about 24 hours of reprieve before starting up with its nonsense again last night. My mostly-cracker diet has been helping: the less food to digest, the less pain I have. Yet, we're on the countdown now with just over 60 hours until the visit with the surgeon. On the upside, the five extra Christmas pounds I packed on are now long gone; I may have cracked the secret to rapid weight loss! I won't have too much time to think about my silly organs tomorrow, with a conference for most of the day, followed by the parish's Chinese New Year celebration, for which I am wholly responsible. Happy Year of the Ox, all.