So just as we welcomed Eisley and Violet into the Lord's family as infants, today we also welcomed Paxton. His four grandparents and great-grandmother were all there. This time we didn't choose sponsors, we presented Paxton ourselves. He wore the same outfit his daddy wore for his baptism some 29 years ago! What a sweet relief it was when my mother-in-law presented us with this gift, as you know I had formerly bemoaned picking out something for him to wear. Vintage and heirloom. Perfect. I thought it was really cute, and it even fit him pretty nicely! I also made Paxton a cake for a sort of mini-reception after the service. I requested the hymn, I Am Jesus' Little Lamb, which we sang right after the Baptism--I find that hymn so endearing and appropriate for little ones. It did make me teary...
Here are some photos from the day, along with the words of another great Baptism hymn,
God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It.
God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It.
"God’s own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ!
He, because I could not pay it, gave my full redemption price.
Do I need earth’s treasures many? I have one worth more than any
That brought me salvation free, Lasting to eternity!
Satan, hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ!
Drop your ugly accusation; I am not so soon enticed.
Now that to the font I’ve traveled,
all your might has come unraveled,
And, against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with me!
Death, you cannot end my gladness:
I am baptized into Christ!
When I die, I leave all sadness to inherit paradise!
Though I lie in dust and ashes faith’s assurance brightly flashes:
Baptism has the strength divine to make life immortal mine."
Happy Baptism Day, Paxton!
It's basically like re-living his birth all over again.
Except this time, it's not just the start of his life.
It's the start of his forever.
As Luther said,
"No greater jewel can adorn
our body and soul than Baptism."
Cheers,
Heather
I love that hymn! And I love that Paxton is now the newest little heir of paradise!
ReplyDeleteThank you Adriane! And me too :)
DeleteIt looks like it was the beautiful celebration it deserved to be.
ReplyDelete~Erica
Erica, that's such a sweet way to put it! Thank you ;-)
DeleteI love everything about this post: the baptism, the outfit, the cake, the beautiful family, the adorable baby, the baptismal certificate, the hymns. Perfect. Congratulations and God's blessings on Paxton, His new child!
ReplyDeleteThank you Gretchen! Did your husband baptise all of your children? That must have been so special :)
DeleteI love that hymn. It's one of my favorites. Beautiful Biblical words, and a lovely melody!
ReplyDeleteIt IS a really pretty melody! The words made me all teary, I felt like a complete sop. I'm sure the postpartum hormones don't help. But really, Baptism is just supposed to be emotionally moving, isn't it?
DeleteThanks for the comment!
What a blessed event it was. Including the lyrics of the hymn in this post was PERFECT! The baptism was beautiful, and so was the music, the precious outfit that Justin once wore, the gorgeous booties, the certificate, and your cake, Heather--just beautiful! I'm so thankful I was here to witness my precious grandson baptized into the
ReplyDeleteBody of Christ. Paxton, we love you SO MUCH!
~Grandma Erickson
The certificate Pastor ordered was just the icing on the cake :) So beautiful!
DeleteI'm so glad you were there to witness it too. Really, Baptism is much more of an event than I think we ever realize.
One of my favorite hymns. Our school sang it at our spring program last May with our circuit Pastors. I didn't think I would ever stop crying. Beautiful words!
ReplyDeleteAnd God's blessings to Paxton-God's newest little lamb.