Sermon for Sunday 11th August 2013.

Sermon for Sunday 11 August 2013.

A child is a precious gift from God and baptism is God’s gift wrapping.

Luke 12 v32-40

 I suppose one of the longest waiting times many of us have to endure is the birth of our children, with particular reference of course to the dear mother – but it is also a traumatic time for the impending father. When the proud parents are aware of the forthcoming birth so begins the period of waiting until the precious gift of their child arrives. Previously Claire and Andrew have celebrated the gift of Lois with a baptismal service but today it is the turn to celebrate the gift of Amelia.

Indeed children are a special blessing whether you consider that from God or whoever but from who else for, we were all once the size of Amelia held in our mothers arms. Can you not remember?  I certainly cannot. There will be many pictures taken today of Amelia and her sister Lois on the mobiles etc. and exchanged with family and friends all within minutes. How time has moved. We had to wait for the photographs to be developed!

My birth – of course I cannot remember.  I can just about remember my own children as babies, I was totally convinced in my mind that our first child would be a boy- it never occurred to me otherwise, similarly when we named him Nicholas, everybody’s comment was – well we understand why- I did not – although he was born the week after Christmas. In addition we were blessed a few years later by the birth of our daughter Caroline. I regret I was not of the new man syndrome- changing nappies etc. -not my scene-certainly, I used to panic if  I was left  with either baby- ensuring that Janet was not away too long, I do remember the terry nappies hanging  around the conservatory drying !!!! Our children, we shall always refer to them as such.  They will always be our children – no matter what age they become- as parents I am sure we are the same, we shall always fuss and concern ourselves over them because they are our children and it is the norm.

As Claire and Andrew will always love and fuss over Lois and Amelia, and as the parents of Claire and Andrew will fuss over them, it is only natural because parenthood carries with it the responsibility for their well-being  but brings equally so much joy and pleasure and it will never change because there is a bond  between mother/father and child  that binds them together forever. As we progress through life we never forget the love that we received from our parents or even if we are fortunate to know, that other special  love we receive from our grandparents.

I only ever knew my maternal grandparents and they were indeed very special to me, I only saw them twice a year, so that time was very precious -they were my Oma and Opa (German for grandparents).  

We never thought we would-but we became grandparents for the first time last year and the joy and the privilege of playing and watching our grandson is worth more than gold! To be part of his upbringing is a tremendous privilege, I am not quite sure who made this statement but considering the times of austerity in relation to our children etc. it is a crucially relevant quote,  

‘The best thing to spend on our children is our time’.

Our children need our presence more than presents. So very similar to our relationship with God; we need God’s presence with us more than anything else! Sometimes we may not think so, but the world today develops and changes at incredible speed- our lifetime is a fraction in time and space. To God we are all very special-Amelia will always be special to God, not just today but on everyday as Lois will and as we all will be special to him every day of our lives.

Today’s baptism of Amelia is a way of celebrating this special blessing from God and the sign of the  water which is sprinkled over her forehead reminds us of the washing of ourselves inside because of what Jesus achieved and actioned in his lifetime.

If I was to ask you what makes you feel special, I am sure I would have varying answers:

Ladies:   Receiving flowers/chocolates/special card

 Gents special card/gifts- birthdays-   it is always good to receive! As it is to give; could be a new job, knowing that we are liked by our friends- or loved by our families.

 Children- could be so many things- but it is always so good to be made to feel special.

Receiving a certificate or an award of some description- all these help us feel special and it is good just to feel that specialness and be loved and to know that we are each appreciated and loved.

God is just like our mother and father, with God we do not have to do anything for him to love us- God loves us because we are who we are not because of anything that we have done or might do, just like the love we receive from our Mum and Dad- God is our Father/Mother and will always love us. We shall always be special to him as Amelia is today and even when she is much older, many years from now she will still be his special Amelia.  So on this very special day, we all say thank you to God for Amelia and for her big sister Lois ,as today marks the beginning of Amelia’s journey with God that will continue throughout her life.

Amen

Brian Scotcher Reader.