Clothesline 283 "Baptismal Font"

Did you know that Baptism has a connection to Christmas? Sunday, we talked about that one thing, that one decoration that gets left behind after you’ve packed everything away. It happens to all of us, you know. Something gets forgotten. Well, there is one thing that is always present in our sanctuary that is connected to Christmas: the baptismal font. Let me explain…

Sunday’s Gospel presented John the Baptist the day after he baptized Jesus. Jesus walks by, and John points: “There he is, the one I told you about, the Lamb of God. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire!” Then he says, “You should follow Him, not me!” Two disciples run to catch up with Jesus. Jesus turns to them and says, “What are you looking for?” Isn’t that the perfect question? Sounds like a sign that could be posted over the door of every church: “What are you looking for?” And they respond, “where are you staying?” What does that matter???

These two disciples, at least at this moment, are clueless—just like us, on many days—searching, unsure, insecure, needy, yet charging straight ahead into who knows what or who knows where. But there is a powerful, unseen element here. It’s the same element that is present in you—when you were baptized. That unseen element is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, that place within you that is restless, that yearns to be filled with hope and faith and love that can only come from a God of love. Only possessed by the Holy Spirit could those disciples charge ahead, future unseen, trusting in something they perceive to be better than what they already have. And isn’t that how it is for us? We live each day with whatever it brings, ups and downs of every kind, and how else could we handle all that, except by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the unseen yet most powerful element within us. It allows us to charge ahead, future unseen, trusting in whom we know to be the Messiah. And that hope and trust stem from our baptism.

The baptismal font stands at the entrance to most churches. Theologically, that’s exactly where it belongs, for it is chiefly by baptism that we enter into an intimate relationship with our God. And on special days, when we baptize one of God’s children, we bring the font to the front of the sanctuary, where everyone can see the glory in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

The Christmas decorations are gone, but the spirit of Christmas remains in Baptism. That spirit of hope, of faith, of belonging dwells among the baptized. Think of that when you see the font up close. Remember the baptism of Jesus, and remember his words…Come and see…. Your baptism is another way of saying, “I have found the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who takes away the sin of the world.”