Daily Devotion for January 31, 2006

Bring the Children

 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

 

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.  Isaiah 11:6 

 

[Note: Although those of the Lutheran tradition baptize infants while those of the Anabaptist and other traditions dedicate infants, the point of this devotional about including older children is the same in either case.]

 

I remember being at a church service some time back when there was a baby that was being baptized. At the children's story the pastor asked the Sunday School class to join him and sit in the front pew. The Spirit of God must have rested on them that morning because the baby cried all through the first part of the service but settled into the pastors arms without a whimper for the baptism. After the baptism he took the baby and knelt before the Sunday School and showed him to them. Then he walked the baby through the congregation as they sang the last hymn. The looks and actions of the people as they smiled and touched the baby's hands brought tears to my eyes and the eyes of many others in the service.

 

Suddenly the words of the scriptures had entirely new meaning for me. The words of the baptismal hymn used came to life also.

A little child the Savior came,
The mighty God was still his name;
And angels worshipped as He lay
The seeming infant of a day
We bring them, Lord, and with the sign
Of sprinkled water name them thine
Their souls with saving grace endow;
Baptize them with Thy Spirit now.

 

Prayer
Lord, as you were baptized so we baptize our children. Help us to realize that by including older children in this sacrament we help them to remember their baptism. As they remember their baptism it also helps us to remember ours also. May we always see you in the eyes of the children as we include them in worship of you.  Help us daily to remember our Baptism in YOU.  Amen.

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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