Let’s talk about Baptism. Or you might have called it “Christening,” but that would be incorrect. “We christen ships; we baptize people!” was a comment of one of my seminary professors. Made perfect sense to me. But whatever we call it, it’s a special moment in our lives. Some denominations baptize persons when they are old enough to speak for themselves. Other churches baptize infants. But whatever your tradition, why is it that we don’t pay as much attention to our baptism date as we do to our birthdays?

I thought about that when I baptized my granddaughter three years ago. While I had baptized other grandchildren, for some reason this time I asked myself that question: why don’t we commemorate our baptism date? My response to that question was to recognize the baptisms of my grandchildren … a simple note congratulating them on the day they became adopted children of God and how much God … and Gramma … loved them. I sent six notes last year. Did it matter to them? I don’t know. I hope so. While I would like to have had such a conversation with each of them, I happen to trust God and His ability to touch hearts and move souls whether I know about it or not. So I’ll keep sending the notes … and someday … maybe …

Do you know your baptism date? Look it up if you can and give thanks for the day you were welcomed into the family of God.

About the author: Previously the priest at St. Francis of Assisi in Lake Placid for 21 years, Rev. Elizabeth L. Nelson is now the Priest at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in LaBelle.